The EC men’s basketball team finished the season with an over-all record of 14-14, and 5-5 in conference play. The team finished third in conference play behind their respected rivals Cerritos and Long beach College. The team lost their final three conference games by a combined total of five points, in which the majority of the players on the team agree that rebound deficiencies may have cost them a playoff run.
“Rebounding the basketball is definitely something we need to improve on as a team going in to next season,” said freshmen forward David Vazquez.
A lack of size in the interior is where the team was hurt most in the games they lost. With the tallest player on the team standing at 6’5, the coach will need to do some big time recruiting this summer for taller players to help sure up the rebound deficiencies from last season. Despite the team finishing with a .500 record, they did have some players that had outstanding individual seasons.
Steve Perez and David Vazquez made first team all conference for the 2008-09 season, and team captain Lonnie Bennett had an honorable mention. The team also has another division1 prospect, Chris Lawrey who wants to pursue a career at the next level.
They are the impact players who the coach counts on to jump start the team and show some leadership when the team is struggling.
Some players have personal goals on and off the court. Lonnie Bennett, sophomore is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in sociology and also wants to continue to pursue his dream playing for a division1 college. Lonnie feels that in order for him to play at the next level he must improve on his speed and quickness. David Vazquez, freshmen power forward feels that he must work on strengthening his body. He wants to work on his jump shot being more consistent, and focus more on rebounding technique he feels will definitely help the team next season.
Looking ahead to next season the team has set goals and are confident that they can win twenty games. If they can reach that team goal they should put themselves in contention for the conference championship.
This past season the men’s basketball team was led by storied head basketball Coach Paul Landreaux, who has led EC to championships in the past, took over for coach Fenison for a season. His last coaching job before this past season was six years a go. Landreaux has over forty years of experience in coaching men’s basketball. He had no real expectations coming in to the season, not knowing his personnel and the type of team they would be during pressure situations. “Our zone defense stifled our opponents in most of the games we won and helped us stay competitive in games we lost.”
Landreaux thinks the team should be much improved next season if the players stay dedicated and work hard on getting better defensively, building up their stamina, strength and conditioning, shooting, and of course rebounding.
“It was a joy and a pleasure to coach again this past season, and I would gladly do it again if I were asked by the Athletic board,” said Landreaux.
“I think the team can do a lot better next season and improve on their record. I feel the little things like rebounding the ball in crucial moments cost us at least a share of the conference championship,” said Landreaux.