Happy Thanksgiving! Busy Weekend Ahead

Happy Thanksgiving, and best wishes to all fellow Niner fans! It's a big weekend for Beach sports, starting Saturday, as the Big West Champion Women's Volleyball squad takes on MWC power Colorado State, starting at 7. Sunday, Men's Basketball returns from another thrilling OT win, this time in double OT at Idaho State, to take on ex-BWC rival New Mexico State, in a return game from last year's ESPN BracketBuster matchup in Las Cruces. Tip-off is at 4pm. Then on Monday, Women's Basketball is back in action hosting Portland State, coached by former Pacific coach Sherri Murrell, starting at 7p, before heading out on a 4-game road trip.

Also. congratulations to Phelan's own Caitlin LeDoux, who was named BWC Women's Volleyball Freshman of the Year earlier in the week, and also made 1st-team All-BWC! Good luck to WVB in the NCAA's!

Thrilling Homecoming Victory Adds to a Good Beach Weekend

A raucous Homecoming crowd of 3664, including legendary former 49er coach Jerry Tarkanian, watched in amazement as The Beach Men's Hoop squad came back from 23 points down in the second half to topple Weber State in overtime, 73-69. The victory breaks a 10-game losing streak, dating back to last season. The Press-Telegram's Frank Burlison has the key details here.

Tark and several of his former players were honored during the game, as the crowd gave them a long standing ovation. Also honored at halftime were the 2008 49er Hall of Fame class. Appearing on court were football player John Kahler, longtime softball coach Pete Manarino (now the HC at UNLV), and hoop legend James Cotton (along with his little daughter!). An excellent Homecoming celebration...the only thing missing was the band playing "Superstar"! :)

Later yesterday evening, Women's Volleyball shook off their lackluster performance the night before in Northridge to sweep Fullerton at Titan Gym, and clinch the outright Big West title. Their final regular season match is coming up next Saturday against #15 Colorado State, before heading into the NCAA tournament.

Women's Hoops started the weekend in style Friday night by blowing out San Jose State, 83-59 (and earning the crowd some free breadsticks!). Courtney Jacob had 15 points and 11 boards, plus four assists and 4 blocks, to lead the way. Lauren Sims came off the bench to pour in 15 points, and got the rout started with her hot shooting in the first half. Whitney Fields added 13 points and 8 boards in just 19 minutes due to foul trouble. The ladies hit the road tomorrow (Monday), heading up the 405 to face LMU.

Men's hoop is back in action Tuesday night at Idaho State, whom The Beach also beat in OT last season, tipping off at 6pm PT.

MBB Recruits Officially Sign

Dan Monson's MBB Fall recruiting class for 2009-10 has been officially released. Here is the link to the PDF file.

Here are the four fall recruits:

Tristan Wilson--G/F 6-5 205 Phoenix, AZ
Playing at Yuba Community College in Marysville, CA.

(link to Yuba bio)

(image credit: Scout.com)

Originally from Chicago, according to his bio on the Yuba CC website. Was recruited initially out of Apollo HS in Phoenix by Sacramento State, but did not play as a Prop. 48 recruit in 2006-07. AZ state 4A player of the year his last two years at Apollo, leading his team to consecutive state 4A titles. 2nd-team preseason JC All-American by Street & Smiths for this season. Reportedly also made official visits to Washington and Iowa State, and was also getting interest from Alabama, UNLV, Bradley, CSUN, Utah Valley and Sac State, again. Will come in as a Junior, with no redshirt year available.

Lin Chang--F 6-9 235 Beijing, China
Played last season at Mira Costa JC in San Diego.

(link to YouTube video)

Played his senior year of high school at Carson Graham in Vancouver, BC, Canada, where he was reportedly rated the #2 prep center in the province. Was voted 1st-team All-Pacific Coast Conference last season. Also recruited by Weber State, UCR, Idaho and Nevada, according to Rivals.com. Will not play for Mira Costa JC this season, and will come to The Beach next season as a sophomore, with no redshirt year available.


Kyle Richardson--F 6-7 220 Lakewood / Mayfair HS

(link to ESPN.com scouting report)

(image credit: Scout.com)

Selected 3rd-team Best in the West by the Press-Telegram. Rated #37 SF in the nation by ESPN/Scouts inc.. Also recruited by Fresno State, Utah State, UCI, Lehigh, Princeton, San Jose State and Boise State.

Jules Montgomery--F 6-10 195 West Hills / Chaminade Prep

(link to ESPN.com scouting report)

Press-Telegram Best in the West Honorable Mention selection. Rated #71 PF in the nation by ESPN/Scouts inc.. Also recruited by Oregon, Oregon State, SMU, Denver and Texas Southern.

Veterans' Day, Evan, Tark, and Soccer

First of all today, a good Veterans' Day to everyone, as we remember all our military vets today, past and present (including my late Father, and my very much alive Brother). Thank you for your service for the USA!


Congratulation to 49er/Dirtbag alum, and current Tampa Bay Ray, Evan Longoria, who was named American League Rookie of the Year yesterday. Despite being left off the opening day roster, Evan was instrumental in the Rays' unlikely and historic run to the AL Championship, and first-ever World Series appearance. Bobby Crosby won the same award back in 2004 for Oakland.
(photo courtesy MLB.com)



Also some exciting Homecoming news...legendary 49er MBB coach Jerry Tarkanian will be honored on the Walter Pyramid court, along with many of his former players, during the November 22nd game vs. Weber State. Click here for the details on the LBSU Athletics site.


Finally, congratulations to the Women's Soccer team. Despite losing the BWC's automatic bid to UCSB Sunday in the conference tournament final, The BWC regular season champs were rewarded with an at-large bid to their first NCAA Tournament. Find out more here.
(Thanks, Rob, for the photo!)



One last bit of news from Frank Burlison in the Press-Telegram today (see the end of the column)...6-5 wing Tristan Wilson from Yuba Community College has verballed to The Beach, and is expected to join Lin Chang, Kyle Richardson and Jules Montgomery in signing Letters of Intent to come to LB, starting tomorrow morning, as the Fall signing period for basketball begins.

(BTW, Yuba CC's mascot looks kinda familiar, no?)

Sunday stuff: WVB Gets Two Huge Road Wins

Congrats to the WVB squad, which overcame the loss of Ashley Lee for the season by sweeping UCSB Friday, and winning a 5-set thriller at Cal Poly Saturday, to cement their position at the top of the Big West. They come home Wednesday to try to avenge an earlier loss to UCI, starting at 7pm.

Since there was no Cal Poly game story in the Press-Telegram (at least as of 7am), here's the story from the SLO Tribune. (hopefully it doesn't try to make you register!)

Also, Women's Soccer goes for its first BWC Tournament title, and first NCAA Tournament bid, as they host UCSB today at 1pm.

Monson's "MINDSET"

(image credit: LBSU Sports Information)


"Journalist Doug E.", in his Press-Telegram column today, takes a look at 49er MBB Coach Dan Monson as he prepares for his second season in LB, and the new "Mindset" he's instilling in the team.





Also, congrats to Women's Soccer as they beat Pacific, 3-0 yesterday, in the BWC Tournament semifinal match. They will face UCSB on Sunday at George Allen Field for the title, and the NCAA Tournament auto bid.

WVB: Oh No! The Big 5-0!!

Last night at the Pyramid, 49er Women's Volleyball defeated Cal State Fullerton in 4 games...er, sets. It was the 50th consecutive match win over the Titans, spanning 26 years. The Press-Telegram's Frank Burlison has the story.

The Big West-leading Beach has two critical matches this weekend, Friday night at UCSB, and Saturday at 2nd-place Cal Poly. A win over the Mustangs gives LB the edge for the conference's automatic NCAA bid should the two teams tie at the top a season's end.

WBB: No Love for 49'rs in Exhibition Loss

Despite 12 points and 22 boards from Arizona transfer center Whitney Fields, Mary Hegarty's ladies fell in the final seconds to Colleen Matsuhara's Love & Basketball squad, 65-64, last night in the Pyramid. LBPostSports.com has the story.

Also, Women's Volleyball returns to the 'Mid tonight against Cal State Fullerton. First serve is 7pm.