CSUDH Men's Basketball Preseason Release
November 8, 2001

THIS WEEK IN CSUDH MEN'S BASKETBALL
Nov. 9 CSUDH @ Long Beach State (exh) The Pyramid, 7:35 pm

WHAT'S ON TAP: The Toros will kick-off the 2001-02 schedule with an exhibition game this week at Long Beach State on Friday, November 9. First tip inside The Pyramid is set for 7:35 p.m.

LOOKING FORWARD: With the loss of 10 players from last year's squad, head coach Larry Hauser and his staff are faced with the challenge of getting 14 new players on the same page. Five of the 13 players on the roster are seniors, however, only two of them - guards Vincent Warsaw and Mario Perez - have registered playing time in the Toros program. Perez (Bell,CA/ELACC) had a solid junior season leading the CCAA in assists last year dishing out 6.0 apg. Pre-season knee surgery has set the 5-10 guard back a bit, but he should be ready to go by the start of CCAA play. In limited action off the bench, 6-4 guard Vincent Warsaw (Gardena, CA/Cypress JC) showed promise athletically while bringing a strong intensity to the court.

The staff hit the recruiting trail early and often in an attempt to bolster a squad that finished 7-19 overall and in 10th place in the CCAA with a 6-16 mark. It's still early, but at this point it looks like their efforts will pay off. Senior 5-9 guard Jacob Poole (San Diego, CA/San Jose State) and 6-7 senior forward/center Kevin Blunt (San Bernardino, CA/San Jose State) transfer in from NCAA Division I program San Jose State. Both will make a significant impact. Poole will give the team a proven scorer unlike the program has seen since third all-time leading scorer Jair Fray graduated in 1999. Blunt is a very talented, strong post player who should score a lot of points in the paint. This duo will give the Toros a scoring combination in the frontcourt and backcourt that they have been lacking for quite some time.

Backcourt additions include four junior college transfers, one freshman and a redshirt senior from last year. At the small guard position look for Brandon Erquhart (Detroit, MI/Cypress JC) to step right into the system. The 5-11 junior averaged 19.0 ppg for Cypress JC last year and is an exceptional perimeter defender. Small forward Justin Goree (Fairfield, CA/Foothill JC) is a versatile wing player who can score from the perimeter or drive to the basket. The 6-4 junior led Foothill JC to the Final 8 last year in the State Championships averaging 19.0 ppg for the Owls.

Junior transfers Aren Moore (Inglewood, CA/Grays Harbor CC) and Robert Tossetti (Highland, CA/San Bernardino Valley JC) will compete for playing time in the backcourt. Moore is a 6-5 play-maker who will be a key contributor off the bench after lettering two years at Grays Harbor CC in Aberdeen, WA. Tossetti is a hard-nosed, aggressive blue-collar player who will add depth to the bench. Look for the 6-0 newcomer to see quality minutes as the season progresses.

A senior and a freshman round out the backcourt. Jonathan Estis (Inglewood, CA/Compton CC) is a 6-3 senior who has been around the Toros program for two seasons now. Last year Estis used a redshirt season and is an early favorite for a starting spot at the small forward position. He is solid defensively, rebounds and can shoot with consistency. Earl Rowland (Salinas, CA/Palma HS) is a highly touted freshman that will contribute immediately. The 6-1 versatile guard is a rare freshman starter who has a bright future in the CCAA. He can shoot, penetrate and plays aggressively on defense.

The frontcourt will be one of the strongest and most talented in several years. The aforementioned Kevin Blunt got a late start this year but should be ready physically by the beginning of the conference schedule. Transfers Rodney Terrell (San Jose, CA/San Jose CC) and Lamar Lawrence (Hawthorne, CA/Pasadena CC) will see a lot of time on the frontline. Terrell is a 6-4 transfer from Juco State runner-up San Jose CC. He is a talented post defender and will rebound on both the defensive and offensive side of the court. Lawrence is an athletic post player with a nice touch around the basket. The 6-5, sophomore runs the court well and will defend, an important attribute if you want to play in the Hauser system. The lone returner in the frontcourt is 6-5 redshirt freshman William White (San Diego, CA/Morse HS). He is a promising athletic player with a tremendous upside. Still very raw, look for him to have a bright future in the Toros program.

CS Dominguez Hills Probable Starters:
Forward: Justin Goree (6-4, Jr., Fairfield, CA)
Forward: Jonathan Estis (6-3, Sr., Inglewood, CA)
Center: Lamar Lawrence (6-5, So., Hawthorne, CA)
Guard: Jacob Poole (5-9, Sr., San Diego, CA)
Guard: Earl Rowland 6-1, Fr., Salinas, CA)

CCAA Standing (End of last season)

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