Sow a Big Factor for Titans

Each game as a Division I basketball player, much like each day on the Cal State Fullerton campus, is a new experience for Pape Sow.

A native of Senegal, Sow (whose name is pronounced Pop So ) has been in the United States for only two years. After a year at Chaffey College, the 6-foot-10 Sow was counted on to be an athletic inside player who could help the Titans match up against Big West opponents.

It has taken only nine games for the sophomore to become the focal point in Fullerton’s road back to respectability after a 5-23 season. Sow leads the Titans in scoring (16.2 points) and rebounding (8.8).

Not bad for a guy who played little organized basketball before coming to the U.S.

“His development has come along gradually,” Fullerton Coach Donny Daniels said. “We ask him to do so much. We ask him to score, handle the ball, be part of our pressure defense.

“I think he’s done a nice job. He is still a very raw player.”

In one four-game stretch, Sow averaged 24 points and nine rebounds. He scored 36 points in an overtime loss to Sacramento State.

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After an 0-5 start, UC Riverside has won three of four games, including its first Big West victory. Some of the recent success can be attributed to the play of sophomore center Vili Morton.

Morton helped Riverside to an 81-77 victory over Cal Poly San Luis Obispo on Saturday, recording his fourth double-double of the season. He had 16 points, 13 rebounds and a season-high five blocked shots.

Overall, Morton is averaging 12.8 points and 8.8 rebounds with 30 blocks in nine games.

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USC is ranked fourth in Collegiate Baseball’s preseason poll, with three other local schools ranked in the top 40. The Trojans are coming off a 45-19 season and an appearance in the College World Series.

Cal State Fullerton is ranked 17th, Cal State Northridge is 33rd and Long Beach State is 37th.

Eric Stephens

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Jack Smitheran, who has coached baseball at UC Riverside for 29 years, will be inducted into the American Baseball Coaches Assn.’s Hall of Fame Jan. 4 in Orlando, Fla.

Smitheran has a record of 993-701-3 at Riverside and guided the Highlanders to Division II national titles in 1977 and 1982.

Gary Klein

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Receiver Drew Amerson and quarterback Marcus Brady of Cal State Northridge were selected to the Associated Press Division I-AA All-America team. Amerson, a junior, made the first team. Brady, a senior, was a second-team pick.