2004-05 Men's Basketball Preview: Discipline, Sacrifice, Heart Will Characterize Toros This Year
November 16, 2004

Discipline, sacrifice and heart.

These three characteristics will characterize the 2004-05 CSUDH men's basketball program. The Toros start a new era under first-year head coach Damaine Powell, who won two state championships in seven years during his tenure at Compton JC. CSUDH will return one of the top conference rebounders and scorers from last season, adding two highly-touted Division I transfers, a junior college point guard transfer who played under Powell at Compton JC, and an athletic freshman class with which to work, all signaling a fresh start for Powell and CSUDH Toro basketball.

With only five players returning from last year's squad that finished with a sub-.500 overall record, the 2004-05 squad is gearing for a fresh start with new faces both on the sidelines and in uniform. The Toros are now led by first-year head coach Damaine Powell.

Officially given the reigns of the men's basketball program on August 19, 2004, Powell has had little time to integrate his philosophy and systems into the Toro mindset. The players, however, have responded well, much to the delight of the first-year head coach.

"They're working really hard and really trying to do the things we're asking them to do," Powell says of the efforts his players are making in learning a new system in a short period of time. "The biggest task any coach has is getting his team to not only buy into what he's selling, but execute at the level and with the concentration, intensity and urgency to which we expect. But they're buying in and that's the thing I'm most happy about."

Considering the timing of his mid-August hire, Powell's transition has been relatively smooth. Both returning and new players have accepted and adapted to Powell's style of disciplined play, and it already has started to pay early dividends. The coach recognizes, however, that there is little room for error on a team whose size and depth are questionable. Very little.

"I'm excited to go out there and compete and if everything falls right, we have a chance to have a pretty successful year," begins Powell. "But we're really thin (roster wise), so an injury will kill us. Everything will have to fall right for us to accomplish some of our goals. But there's just no room for error."

Along those lines, Powell emphasizes the importance of his players' commitment, not only to the team and to the coaching staff, but also to self and the University.

"I expect the team to go out and play hard every night," Powell says of the Toros' future. "I expect the team to carry itself with class and integrity, and to represent the University in a positive way."

Powell believes this team can win with dominant guard play, which is the position he feels most comfortable at with the team thus far. Although the Toros are small in the middle, Powell feels the team' athleticism can go a long way in improving upon last season's results.

"We're going to be adequate to undersized up front, but I hope we can win the war of the guards every night," Powell explains. "I've always thought that you can win with good guards, and we have the potential so that's how we're going to attack it. On defense, we're going to play some zone, we're going to double team the post, we're going to front the post, we're going to crowd the post ... That'll be our equalizer."

But don't tell the first-year head coach, who competed collegiately for the University of Southern California, who served on USC's men's basketball staff and who coached for the previous seven years at nearby Compton JC, that wins and losses will determine the success or failure of the team. Powell begs to differ.

"I've always measured victory and success in terms of getting the most out of your team," he offers. "I've had very talented teams that won 25 games and I thought those teams weren't a success because they didn't reach their potential. So my goal for this team is getting the most out of them. Where that is, I don't know."

Powell concludes, "But whatever the best this team is capable of, this group of guys can do, I want to reach it."

GUARD

The guards on the 2004-05 Toro squad have the talent to either make or break the season. Relying on their speed and quickness, Powell plans for the guards to spread opposing defenses out and use their ability to penetrate to kick the ball out to get open shots. Noting that the most difficult thing to do in basketball is defend dribble-penetration, his guards intend on setting the tone for dribble-driving, and focusing the offensive energy at getting the wide-open shot.

Les Norman spearheads a list of point guards whom Powell expects to compete, and succeed. A 6-1 senior transfer from Division I Coppin State, the first-year head coach has high hopes for his able-bodied floor general, counting on him to produce both early and often.

"Les is very explosive and dynamic, and we're hoping he can make other people better because we know what he can do," Powell begins. "He competed at a very high level at Coppin State, and is our best athlete, our best shooter, our best ball handler, our best passer, and might be our best rebounder."

Another transfer, this one by way of Compton College, is Gary Looney. Looney played under Powell at the junior college level, and Powell makes no bones about what he expects from his 5-10 junior floor leader.

"Competitive nature is his biggest strength, and the only thing he knows is winning," Powell says with a smile. "He gets everybody to rise to his level of competitiveness. He doesn't have a selfish bone in his body."

Freshman Mike Steed, an intelligent newcomer with a knack for defense, looks to make his impression on the 2004-05 Toro squad. Powell likes his size the most, as Steed will be expected to post up smaller defenders and stick to different players when on defense.

"It's always good to have a big point guard," Powell says of his 6-3 freshman. "He has long arms and is a great rebounder for the point position. I'm really happy with his progress."

Junior Jamel Gay returns for his third stint in Cardinal Red & Gold as the only holdover from last season's backcourt. Last season, Gay contributed 4.0 points and 2.3 rebounds per game, as he saw action in 24 of 27 contests. A 6-2 Carson native, Powell notes Gay's athleticism and aggressive play as keys to the Toros' success.

"He hits open shots and has the ability to defend," Powell begins, noting his stellar play on the offensive boards.

A transfer from West Los Angeles College, shooting guard Phillip Givens has made a great impression on the first-year head coach in the early going. At 6-1, Powell notes that Givens' biggest strengths are his shooting and his athleticism, two attributes that could propel Givens to becoming a starter and all-conference player "once he gets to playing at the level we expect."

He adds, "He's left-handed and very athletic, and talented enough to really do some damage."

Another Division I transfer, Quenton Harvey, is just solid all around, and brings much more to the table than just a great shot and solid defense.

"Quenton is just a calming presence on the floor," Powell says of Harvey, who competed at a high level at Utah State. "He's always under control and he knows where everybody should be."

Dustin May, who utilized his redshirt season in the 2003-04 campaign, also is expected to contribute to the 2004-05 squad. A quick guard who possesses a nice shot, May will be counted on for his spot-up shooting and all-around hustle on both ends of the floor.

FORWARD / CENTER

Powell has high hopes for the "3" position. "We have potential to be really good there," he explains.

"We're not shooting the ball or defending as well as I would like, but we have three great players there and I think over time, we'll be real good at that spot."

Returning junior Saul Lankster will see major time at the small forward spot. A 6-6 native of Long Beach, Lankster started two games in 18 played last season, averaging 7.2 points per contest, the second-best total amongst returners. Additionally, Lankster poured in 44% of his shots from the field (42-of-95) and nailed 70% of his free throws (33-of-47). This season, Powell will count on his experience to be a major contributor on a squad that is nearly 70% new.

Newcomers Nonso Nibo and Alexous Scruggs will compete for playing time as well. Freshman Nibo, whom Powell calls "super athletic," comes in raw and will take a while to adjust to the intensity at the college level, while Scruggs, a Los Angeles native, brings desire, hustle and intensity

Senior Eric Crookshank heads the list of power forwards who also will see time at the center position. A Vallejo native, Crookshank brings proven credentials to a Toro program as this 6-7 high-flyer was a dominant force on the glass last season. He led the CCAA conference in rebounding (9.9 rpg), was 2nd in blocked shots (1.09 bpg), 8th in field goal percentage (52%) and 10th in scoring (13.3 ppg). An intense competitor who wants to win, Powell knows that refining Crookshank will result in an all-conference honor.

Returning sophomore Michael Roche is another wide body expected to see major minutes at the 4/5.

Powell calls him "just a solid guy all around who knows where everybody should be." In addition to praising his high basketball IQ and work ethic, Powell is thankful to have Roche on the roster, noting, "He does so many other things that helps teams win."

Quishawn Harrell, a junior transfer from LA Valley College, is the third part of the power forward / center puzzle. A 6-6 bruiser, Powell says the sky's the limit for "Q," noting his potential to be an all-conference selection.

FINAL THOUGHTS

"The returners just want to win," Powell says. "They've had so much experience with losing the past couple of years that they've embraced the newcomers and are happy to have them here, and their mentality is 'Hey, together, let's go win some games.'"

With only five players returning from last year's squad that finished with a sub-.500 overall record, the 2004-05 squad is gearing for a fresh start with new faces both on the sidelines and in uniform.

"Every game is going to be a ‘Superbowl’ for us," Powell concludes. "We're going to work hard and have fun. We're going to grow and be better people and a better team by the end of the year. I know that for a fact."