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Men's Basketball 2008-09 Preview: Consider the Bar Raised

Seniors Rodney Yearby (left) and Jerrell Smith look to lead the Toros to their first NCAA postseason appearance in 20 years
Consider the Bar Raised

Expectations are high at Cal State Dominguez Hills for the 2008-09 men's basketball team and fifth-year head coach Damaine Powell.

After playing the role of perennial doormat for the past 20 years, last year's squad was chosen to place fourth in a preseason CCAA coaches poll, and bettered that with a third place finish and a semifinal appearance in the CCAA Championship Tournament, which included a sweep at perennial powers Humboldt State and Sonoma State, a feat no other team in the CCAA was able to accomplish.

Returning co-CCAA Newcomers of the Year in senior forwards Jerrell Smith and Rodney Yearby, who also earned 2nd-team All-CCAA honors, along with senior point guard Michael Hernandez, senior sharpshooter Jonathan Toliver and a talented array of fresh faces, the coaches rewarded coach Powell's team with a 2nd-place predicted finish in this year's CCAA preseason poll, bringing an excitement not seen in the program since … well, last season.

Coach Powell realizes, however, that predictions mean little, especially in a conference as stacked as the CCAA.

“Our expectations are to get to the playoffs,” he begins as a matter-of-fact.  “I think we have a chance to do accomplish that.  With every recruiting class, you never know what you get until you throw them into the fire.  We have a good core but the core is not good enough to carry the team, and we're gonna need significant help from the new guys. If we don't get it, we might struggle.”

Looking forward to taking another step towards their first CCAA Championship in 20 years and a berth in the Division II version of “March Madness” for the first time since the 1988-89 season, coach Powell likes what he sees both on and off the floor, and realizes that his team is thisclose to reaching their potential.

Here's a closer look at this year's Toros men's basketball team:
Forward / Center

There's not a more valuable forward duo than Smith and Yearby, who led the 2007-08 Toros in points, rebounds and blocks, helping them to the best team mark in the CCAA in field goal percentage defense, offensive rebounds, and rebounding margin, and to Top 3 team finishes in scoring defense, rebounding offense, rebounding offense, blocked shots and turnover margin.

Rodney Yearby, who was hobbled in the CCAA semifinal loss to Cal Poly Pomona after severely twisting his ankle late in the CCAA quarterfinal victory at Cal State Monterey Bay, claimed both 2nd-team All-CCAA honors and the co-CCAA Newcomer of the Year award.  In 2007-08, the Moreno Valley native was amongst the best in the CCAA in rebounds and FG%, netting a season-best 20 points vs. Chico State (Jan. 25) en route to 14 games in double-figure scoring.

“Ralo brings experience, leadership and character to our program, and we're lucky to have him,” Powell says of one of his co-captains, who he again expects to be amongst the team leaders in points and rebounds.  “When you get a guy like that you want to max it out because those guys don't come around that often.”

Jerrell Smith, who was double-teamed every time he touched the ball, still managed to earn co-CCAA Newcomer of the Year award.  Both an offensive and defensive threat, the Gardena native notched a .487 shooting percentage and averaged a team-best 11.1 points per game, while also establishing the school record for blocks in a single season and finishing in the top 11 in blocks, rebounds and field goal percentage.

“Jerrell is our center, and he anchors both our offense and our defense,” Powell begins. “He's also another high character guy who you just don't get that often. We have two good leaders, and if they do their job they'll lead us in a good direction.”

A very pleasant surprise in the early weeks of practice has been sophomore James Cawthorne.  A big body at 6'9 with three years of experience in Powell's system after red-shirting his freshman year, Cawthorne's summer program is paying dividends after 2007-08 saw him post a career-best 11 point effort vs. San Francisco State (Feb. 23) and pull down 5 rebounds twice, and at least 3 boards in five games.

“I'm really excited about James this year,” beams Powell.  “He is going to have a bigger role, and maybe even start.  James is a winner and does all the things that it takes to win games that nobody sees but the coach.  I'm looking forward to him having a break out year.”

 
Guard

The guard position is perhaps as equal in strength as the forward spot based not only on talent, but on experience as well.

Senior Michael Hernandez anchors the point guard position after making 12 starts in 28 games played.  Steadily improving, Hernandez put up a season-high 16 points on 6-6 shooting from the floor and 4-4 from the foul strip vs. San Francisco State (Feb. 23), and pulled down a season-best 8 boards at Humboldt State (Feb. 1).

“Mike has some talent, but he's still learning to play the way I want him to play,” Powell begins of the team's best free throw shooter.  “Sometimes he goes for the home run when a bunt would work, so to speak.  The simple play in the coach's mind is beautiful, and we're trying to get him to know when to take a chance and when not to.”

Seniors Jonathan Toliver and Ryan Walton also return for their final year as Toros after playing significant roles in the program's re-emergence.

Entering the season needing 8 3-point makes to become the CSUDH all-time leader for 3-pointers in a career, Jonathan Toliver finished 2007-08 13th in the CCAA in 3-points made and draining at least three 3-pointers in 6 games, including one that sealed the deal in the CCAA 1st-round victory at CS Monterey Bay (March 4).

“JT is solid, and is our coach on the floor,” Powell says of the Toros' lone fourth-year player, whose banked 3-point shot against the Otters clinched the win for the Toros.  “He is very intelligent and has a high basketball IQ, and is a real source of calm for me to have him on the floor.”

Walton, who started 7 of 10 games played before being sidelined due to injury, enjoyed a season high 14 points on 5-of-10 shooting vs. Mesa State (Dec. 21) as part of 3 games in double-figure scoring.  “Ryan is solid, and he's another guy who's been in the program for a while and now has a lot of competition at his spot with the new guys,” Powell begins.  “But Ryan is probably our best defender, and that will keep him in the rotation.”

Both hard-nosed and hard working, Jamel Ward started 7 games of 28 total played, scoring a season-high 15 points vs. Sonoma State (Nov. 30), and tallying at least 8 points in 5 other contests.  “Jamel has come a long way,” says Powell.  “He's been in the program a while and is a solid guy who contributes in different ways.  He's just a real hard worker, and will help us somewhere on the floor throughout the year.”
Newcomers

While combining talent and skill, no one has separated himself from the talented group of newcomers.  Gino Riney, who tallied single game highs of 22 points, 11 assists, 12 rebounds, and 6 steals at LA Valley College, as well as shooter Aaron Tinsley, who notched single game highs of 38 points, 8 rebounds, 5 steals and 4 assists en route to 1st-team all-league honors at Grossmont CC, seem to have the highest ceilings in the early going, but will have to make an impact in practice before seeing significant time on the floor.

“Gino is turning out to be a littler better than I thought he was,” begins Powell.  “He is learning a whole new system, a whole new defense, but if I had to guess I would say he would be somebody who would help contribute to the program.

“Aaron is a probably one of our best shooter in the program,” Powell continues.  “Shooting from behind the 3-point line has been a historical weakness of our program, so we went and added some depth as far as shooting.  If he shoots like he thinks he can, he's going to give us a new dimension.”

Marvin Bettis and Tim McGrath are two others Powell will look for to have an impact, if not immediate.  “Marvin is an excellent rebounder and a great post defender who will be contributing by mid-year,” while “Tim is probably our most talented all-around guard.  It's just a matter of him learning the system and him applying it instinctively without thinking too much.  I can't wait to see him put it all together.”
Raising the Bar

The landscape of the CCAA is changing, and much of the focus now is on Cal State Dominguez Hills, and its demanding coach.  And whether he likes it or not, much of the credit goes directly to coach Powell and the program he's currently reviving.

“I didn't think anyone in our conference was head and shoulders above the rest last year,” Powell says, referring to the first round losses from the 2007-08 NCAA postseason by all CCAA qualifiers.  “Chico came in last place and they beat us and San Bernardino, two top teams, so it's not like a couple years ago when we had teams like CSUSB making the final four.”

And with each team's record improving in all four years under the watchful eye of coach Powell and his coaches, teams know they'll be in a battle from tip off.
“With our program being picked to finish second, I really think it's a testament to Jerrell and Ralo (Yearby), people who really respect those two guys and maybe even me to some degree I guess,” Powell says unassumingly.  “With those two guys in the middle, we're going to be real competitive.  We've been competitive and won some games since I've been here, but now there's another step that we're trying to take.”
Final Thoughts

In addition to the established returners and the incoming talent, it's the intangible qualities that have coach Powell excessively optimistic.

“We want to out there and defend the foundation of our program, which is defense and rebounding,” Powell begins.  “No matter what the score is, we want the other team to know they've been in a battle, and that if we play well, we will beat them.  I want to be competitive throughout, and my only expectation is for us to be fundamentally correct.

“I'm excited, but I really don't know what to expect either,” he continues.  “Who steps up? Who plays well in a hostile environment?  And who's a gamer when the lights come on?  All that's yet to be determined.

“But I really like the chemistry of the team, everybody seems to get along, and there's no bickering,” he continues.  “I also like the balance and leadership of the team, but in the end, it's all contingent upon how well the new guys play, and that's going to define our season.

“We've got good core guys, but they're not good enough to carry the team without help,” Powell concludes.  “But I'm excited.  I think we're going to do something great.”



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