Men’s Basketball: VU undergoes French revolution

Tony Altobelli

COSTA MESA - Vanguard University men’s basketball team heads into

this weekend’s The Master’s College Basketball Tournament to start the

season with a strong understanding of French.

No, not the language, the coach, first-year man Stephen French.

“We have a great bunch of kids over here,” French said. “It’s a great

place to coach. With the support and the solid tradition and the high

expectations, I’m excited to get this thing going.”

With four returners, including one senior and seven newcomers, this

year’s Vanguard team looks to hit the ground running, literally.

“It’s kind of like an old SCC team; small and quick with good

shooters,” French said. “Our chemistry is excellent and that always gives

you a chance. When the dog days of the season come rolling around, I

don’t see this team coming apart. I see them coming together.”

Junior Dennis Keene leads the returning crew for the Lions. The

6-foot-4 guard averaged 13.8 points, 3.1 assists and 4.5 rebounds per

game last year.

“He could be one of the best, if not the best performing players in

the conference,” French said. “We’re expecting a lot from this young man

and he as the tools to produce at a high level.”

Some of the Lions’ top newcomers include junior Brandon Cablay,

sophomore Garid Beeler and freshmen Kemmy Burgess and Shawn Corkery.

Perhaps another key to success will be discipline. The Lions committed

over 140 more fouls (683-544) and had 24 players foul out of ball games

last year; only 10 by their opponents.

In the always-tough Golden State Athletic Conference, what

expectations does French have on his ball club?

“I set three goals for this team to follow,” French said. “Work hard,

work smart and have fun. If we do that, the numbers will take care of

themselves.”

Last year’s team went 11-22, 5-9 in the GSAC for the season under

first-yearcoach Cameron Dollar.

VANGUARD UNIVERSITY MEN’S BASKETBALL ROSTER

3 Dennis Keane 6-4 185 Jr. G

5 Brandon Cablay 6-0 173 Jr. G

10 Ardis Curtis 5-9 165 Jr. G

11 Shawn Corkery 6-0 165 Fr. G

21 Garid Beeler 6-2 185 So. G

22 George Lee III 6-4 185 So. G/F

31 Kemmy Burgess 6-0 170 Fr. G

33 John Kohlhaas 6-5 200 Jr. G/F

34 Steve Eernisse Jr. 6-4 218 Jr. F

44 Daniel Holechek 6-7 220 Fr. C

54 Steve James 6-8 220 Sr. F/C