New Talent Will Make SMC Basketball Contender Again

By Mitch Chortkoff

On the community college level rebuilding is required almost every year. It's a way of life for John McMullen, the Santa Monica College basketball coach the last 22 years.

But some years are more difficult than others. For example, McMullen had a veteran team last season with key players back from the previous year. As expected the team did well and reached the state tournament.

Those players have left and the upcoming season figured as a challenge. But high expectations for two redshirt players and some newcomers have McMullen and his assistants optimistic again.

``We're very excited about DeAndre Browder and Bernard Beard,'' said assistant coach Trevor Shickman. ``Browder will be a very strong player. Beard is unbelievable strength wise. In practice we haven't found anyone who can match him.''

Both players redshirted last season. Browder is a 6-foot-8 guard from Manual Arts High. Beard, from Skyline High in Oakland, is 6-6.

With freshmen guards Richard Bluette and Brandon Williams arriving and forward Conrad Adamczak returning the parts are in place for another run at the state tournament.

Bluette, who began his high school career at Crenshaw, comes home after playing at Redemption Academy in New York, the school that produced Clippers star Lamar Odom. Williams was the CIF Division 4-A Player of the Year at St. Bernard High.

Although they haven't worked together previously they're expected to form a productive backcourt, easing the loss of point guard Ricky Terrel to the University of Hawaii and backcourt partner Duke Tshoma.

Many schools would be proud of winning 20 games in a season. SMC does it annually.

``We still have spots to fill,'' said Shickman. `Once the season starts we may struggle early but figure to do a lot of improving as it goes along. We will have a good squad. It's just a question of what character the team will have.

``Our real job is to get these guys to work together. If we have some early losses we're not going to be too concerned.''

The basketball season is a little way off. Football comes first. But for a school that reached the second round of the state tournament it's not too early to speculate on what might be this time.