Foster’s Game Is Still a Work in Progress

How not to be a scorer, lesson No. 1: Don’t shoot.

Paul Foster posted up Saturday and got the pass down low but never looked at the basket before kicking the ball back out. UC Irvine trailed Nevada Las Vegas, 22-12, at the time.

“I have to do whatever is best with the ball,” said Foster, a 6-foot-8 forward. “Either pass it to an open person or take it to the basket.”

Foster has labored to do more of the latter this season. He is asked to be the point man--quite literally--in the offense. He is averaging 12 points through four games, which would certainly be acceptable, maybe even exceptional, in seasons past--1995-96 for example.

But these days, the Anteaters need a little more oomph from Foster, a senior.

“We sort of ask Paul to leave the finesse aspect out of his game and go try to score for us,” Coach Rod Baker said.

He did that Saturday in a 69-59 loss to Las Vegas. Foster scored 17 points and was more aggressive on offense than he has been all season. Still, it has been a struggle. He took 10 shots, making seven, against Las Vegas, giving him 30 attempts on the season, or seven shots per game.

Even Foster knows that’s too few.

“I think I need to take 10-15 shots a game,” Foster said. “It seems like a lot of shots, but I have to keep that in my head.”

How not to be a scorer, lesson No. 2: Don’t shoot.

It was the Anteaters’ season opener and they had two freshmen and one community college transfer in the starting lineup. Those three had 13 shots in the first half against San Diego State. Foster did not take a shot. His offense was limited to four free throws. He finished with five shots and 14 points in a 100-88 loss.

Being demonstrative, in any way, shape or form, is difficult for Foster. He dreads even the simplest of interviews.

“I enjoy the competition, but can’t say I’m very competitive,” Foster said. “I have to change my whole mind-set. I’m used to going out and doing my best. Now I’m starting to think about other things. I have to look to score instead of pass.

“Every time I get the ball, I tell myself, ‘Look to shoot; try to score.’ ”

How not to be a scorer, lesson No. 3: Don’t shoot.

Irvine was down, 12-0, to Washington State. Foster pushed hard to the basket, then passed the ball outside. He had three shots in the first half, when the Anteaters were desperate for offense. They trailed, 19-1, and lost, 91-53.

In defense of Foster’s offense, he has never had to carry the load before.

Neither Foster nor his twin brother Nick, who plays at Pacific, were the center of attention at Thousand Oaks High School. Both played well and were All-Marmonte League selections as seniors. Guard Jason Hartman, who attended Washington for one season, was the team’s leading scorer.

Foster averaged 7.4 points last season and is referred to as the team’s only returning starter. In fact, Foster came off the bench until the last seven games. He averaged 11.7 points in those starts, but played a support role.

“Paul is used to being a complementary player,” Baker said. “He’s never had to be the man because he’s had someone with him all the time. He’s never had to do it by himself.”

Baker always selects his words carefully, but that trait is even more apparent when he’s talking about Foster.

Asked last week if he was disappointed in Foster’s output, Baker said, “I’m not comfortable with the word disappointed.”

Asked about Foster’s production, Baker said, “He’s doing what we expected. He’s doing what we need for him to do for us to be successful. It’s not something we don’t watch him do every day in practice.”

Said Foster: “In practice, the coaches are always telling me to look to score. Coach Baker might yell at me if I pass the ball out when I have an open shot.”

It is beginning to take hold.

Against Las Vegas, Foster held off one Rebel rally by scoring back-to-back baskets in the second half. Both came on power moves.

“I thought twice before passing during the game,” Foster said.

*

Brian Johnson will miss at least one more week because of a sprained toe, which means walk-on Anthony Delacruz will get at least one more start.

Delacruz, who attended Carson High School, played 20 minutes, scoring six points after coming off the bench against Eastern Washington. With Johnson out, he was thrust into the starting lineup, playing 39 minutes against Las Vegas.

“He was next in line on the depth chart and had earned the chance,” Baker said.

Delacruz scored three points and had five turnovers. He also had six rebounds, while battling a much heftier Rebel front line.

“I think he had six more opportunities, but just got pushed around,” Baker said.

Delacruz was involved in the most controversial play in the Las Vegas game. He was called for an intentional foul on Eric Lee with 3 minutes 56 seconds left and the Anteaters trailing by four.

“Anthony Delacruz was really going to hurt Eric Lee?” Baker said afterward.

Delacruz is 6-4. Lee is 6-10.

The Rebels extended their lead to 58-51.

“It wasn’t the reason we lost, but it didn’t help us,” Baker said.

*

After three solid games, the Irvine women’s basketball team finally looked its age.

The Anteaters, who start three freshmen, lost to Baylor, 68-46, Thursday. Irvine led, 30-23, early in the second half but scored 16 more points the rest of the way.

“We didn’t have as many scoring chances as we should have had because we ended up turning the ball over,” Coach Colleen Matsuhara said.

Irvine had 34 turnovers and shot 34.9%.

Anteater Notes

The Anteater men’s basketball game at the University of San Francisco has been moved to Saturday, Jan. 4, at 7:30 p.m. . . . Las Vegas shot 36% from the field, the first time this season Irvine has held an opponent under 50%.