News Scrapbook 1980

4C The Daily Californian D East ion Diego County, ~alifornia D Thursday, January 10, 1980

ROrts Clippers win one for the Shue, SC Spring Valley's rising golf star, 6C USD offCnse showcases Whitmarsh

The Daily Californian

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or 10-minute breakdown and that just kills us. Tonight (against St. Mary's) it was the same thing. It looked like we were going to blow them out in the first half, but then they came back on us. It's a team we should have beat. We had a big rebounding advantage in the first half_ (18-7 ), and we've had a hard time getting boards this year. But then we had that little breakdown in the second half." Part of the Toreros' problems have stemmed from losing four of their 15 players so far this year. Joe Evans, a 6-9 sophomore center, was-dropped from the team because of academic problems, while guard Dave Cook and forward Paul Appleby went down with injuries early in the season. During a game against Portland , right before the loss to Seattl_e, guard Ken Cooney severely sprained an ankle, and he will also be out indefinitely. But ~ loss has been Whitmarsh's gain since he has been getting more playing time this year than he did as a freshman, and with expanded responsibilities. He is averaging 6.7 points per game, with an 8.3 scoring mean in WCAC action . One thin~ W_hitmarsh has had a hard time getting used to is his sixth-man role, especially after starring for the Monarch cage team, and being selected first- team all-CIF his senior year, and all-Grossmont League for his last two high school campaigns. "It's harder to come in off the bench because you are cold," he said. "But I can 't complain. I'll probably get my shot next year because the guard in front of me (Earl Pierce) is graduating. " B:oyelli said_Whitmarsh has done an outstanding job of fillmg the sixth-man role, especially when he has been called upon to take a place in the front line. " If one of our front line people gets into foul trouble we'll bring Rusty in at that spot," said Brovelli. "With all the injuries we've had, and with the lack of depth on the bench , we've recently installed a three-guard offense, and we 'll bring him in to run that also. It's asking a lot of him, but he 's a great athlete, and he's done wb:ite11er we.'\le-.iskec:i-him-to do." One thing Whitmarsh does relish about this season is the Division I schedule. The Toreros have already played ~an Diego State, and they will also face the t- l!mvers,ty of ~an Francisco , Santa Clara, and the Air Force Academy before the season ends. ' 'The players are a lot better, a lot quicker, and a lot tall~r than .~he, teams we played last year," said Whitmarsh. Its a lot more of a challenge. I like it a l~t better. Last year we played some teams I think my high school team could have played with. But this year it's a lot tougher. " · . The way things have been going for Whitmarsh and his \LSll teammates, they should have the market on toughness cornered by the end of the season.

By Dennis Wynne of The Daily Californian

The 1979-80 season has meant a tot of changes to the niversit of San Die o b1isketball team. In the past, the Toreros ha een a member of the NCAA's , Division II, but this season they have moved up to Division I. At times the move has been a frustrating experience ~or C?ac~ _Jim Brovelli and his team as injuries and mehg1b1ht1es have resulted in l!fill, a perennial playoff contender while in Division II, struggling to a 3-7 mark through 10 games this year. .One thing the Toreros' problems have done is expanded the role of guard Rusty Whitmarsh. The 6- foot-3 sophomore, a 1978 graduate of Monte Vista High, has become sixth man. But because of a lack of depth Brovelli's squad has been experiencing, Whitmarsh has not only been called upon to relieve other guards, but he has also replaced forwards , and even the center. Against the University of Seattle in a game played last week, Whitmarsh was being guarded by 7-foot Jawann Oldham because the former Monarch had replaced the Yfill.s::enter. In spite of being nine inches shorter than his shadow, Whitmarsh still sank a career-high 20 points. However, the Toreros still dropped a 99-76 decision. "He refused to come out past 15 feet " said Whitmarsh of his Seattle counterpart. "Sd I just started shooting from the outside, and it seemed like ev~r_ything was going in. Later in the game I tried dnvmg to the basket, and I also picked up some points that way. " Wednesday night in a Western Athletic Conference clash against St. Mary's at the Sports Arena Whit- ~arsh demonstrating another of his many, skill~ came i~to the gam~ after center-forward Brad Levesque had picked up his third foul late in the first half. With Whitmarsh on the floor , ll§.Q.went into a three-guard offense, something that has been necessitated by a lack-of-tlept . But once again the 'f01 e1 us we, e unable to hang on for a win, dropping an 83-73 decision after leading 43-40 at halftime. " It seems every game we put it together for 30 or 35 minutes, " said Whitmarsh, "but then we have a five-

Offense or defense Rusty Whitmarsh (22), former Inland prep star, is in the thick of things for the llnivecsity of San Diego. , Whitmarsh, at 6-foot-3, has been asked to play every position on the court for the short-handed Toreros. Associated Press

At the line: Whitmarsh sinks a free throw Wednesday night at the Sports Arena against St. Marys. lost the contest 83-73 and is 3-7 on the year after moving up to NCAA Division I. AssocJared Press