49ers’ Loss Is the Lions’ Gaines

Two years ago, Nicole Gaines was a sophomore forward at Long Beach State, averaging 2.3 points and two rebounds, when she decided that she needed a change.

Although she was a Long Beach native and local standout at Poly High, Gaines was frustrated with the 49ers.

“So, I decided to look around for a school where I felt comfortable and where I could compete for playing time,” she said. “I wasn’t focusing on the records of the schools I was looking at.”

That explains why Gaines decided to transfer to Loyola Marymount, which finished 6-21 last season and 7-20 in 1993-94.

“Loyola was one school that allowed me a better opportunity both academically and athletically,” said Gaines, a biology major. “It was the best decision I could have made.”

After redshirting last season, Gaines has been a force for the Lions, who are off to an 8-4 start under first-year Coach Julie Wilhoit.

“She’s such an exciting player,” said Wilhoit, whose Lions begin West Coast Conference play this weekend against defending conference champion San Francisco and San Diego. “She just gets better and better with each game.”

In averaging 14.1 points and 8.6 rebounds, Gaines has become the Lions’ top inside threat. Her ability to score points in bunches was evident in Loyola Marymount’s 78-59 victory over Idaho Friday.

After scoring two points in 10 first-half minutes, Gaines scored 18 in only nine minutes in the second half to lead the Lions to their third victory in four games.

Gaines, a junior, says it was difficult to sit out last season as the Lions struggled, but credits the year off for her play this season.

“It was tough having to practice and then not be able to play . . . ,” she said. “But, not playing gave me time to get my life back on track.”

Guard Marlee Webb leads the WCC in scoring with a 17.2-point average--she has made 16 of 33 three-point shots--but Gaines’ inside contributions have been major.

“I want to win and have us be conference champions this year,” Gaines said. “I don’t feel that we need time to get used to one another just because we have a new coach. We have a lot of confidence in ourselves and our coaching staff and my goal is for us to win now.”

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Despite having only eight scholarship players in uniform, the Pepperdine women are also off to a promising start with a 7-5 record under Coach Mark Trakh.

The Waves lead the WCC in scoring with a 74.8-point average and have shot a conference-high 230 three-point attempts.

“We have five players averaging in double figures in scoring because we’ve been creating a lot of shots on offense,” Trakh said. “We’re not that athletic in our backcourt, but we’ve been able to stay in games with our defense.”

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After finishing fourth in last year’s NCAA championships, UCLA women’s gymnastics team will open its season Friday at Cal State Fullerton.

The Bruins, ranked fourth in the national preseason poll, have four returning All-Americans in Leah Homma, Corinne Chee, Amy Smith and Stella Umeh, the defending NCAA floor exercise champion.

Coach Valorie Kondos also has freshmen Susie Erickson and Kiralee Hayashi, who have junior Olympic and national team experience and will compete in the all-around.

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USC’s baseball team, runner-up in last year’s College World Series, will have its annual alumni game at noon on Jan. 21 at Dedeaux Field.

The Trojans, ranked 13th in Baseball America’s preseason poll, will also have a fund-raising golf tournament Jan. 22 at Valencia Country Club. Details: (213) 740-8444.

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Former major league baseball manager Sparky Anderson will be the featured speaker at Long Beach State baseball’s Lead-Off Dinner Jan. 16 at the Long Beach Marriott.

Details: Jill Keenan at (310) 985-4550.