RAMS FALL SHORT IN TITLE GAME

BY MILES HARWELL
Editor

Receiver Maurice Purify is consoled by lineman Tony Matteucci. FELIPE JUNQUEIRA / GUARDSMAN

A second half rally couldn’t prevent a second consecutive Commission on Athletics state championship loss for the Rams, who fell 41-38 to the Grossmont Griffins on Dec. 10.

“There were really two games,” Rams head coach George Rush said, referring to his team’s performance in each half. “We lost the first 31-10, but we won the second 28-10.”

Eight Ram turnovers ultimately caused the comeback to fall short.

Third-String quarterback Timothy Sonnenburg threw four interceptions in the contest. The Griffins capitalized on Sonnenburg’s mistakes, by scoring touchdowns after each of his first three interceptions, to gain a three-touchdown lead at halftime.

Sonnenburg started over quarterbacks Jimmy Collins and Andrew Strom.

“He threw well in practice, and he was the man as far as I could see,” Rush said.

The Griffins scored on the game’s opening drive, but the Rams responded, driving 87 yards en route to a touchdown rush by Sonnenburg. A 32-yard John Abrams field goal after a Griffin fumble gave the Rams its sole lead of the game 10-7.

Strom replaced the struggling Sonnenburg after his fourth interception, which was returned 17 yards for a touchdown on the Rams’ second possession of the second half.

“I kept Tim in, hoping he would find his rhythm,” Rush said. “I was just hoping he didn’t throw his fourth (interception).”

After sitting out five games, Strom led the Rams up the field 59 yards, connecting with receiver Roberto McBean for an 18-yard touchdown; one of Strom’s three in the contest.

“Right when I went in, I was sure we were going to win,” Strom said.

Strom also threw one interception and fumbled a rush attempt inside the 30-yard line.

“He (Strom) played well,” Rush said, “but the fumble in the fourth quarter was huge.”

The Rams defense kept the Griffins out of the end zone in the second half. Defensive end Julian James pounced on a fumble by quarterback Reilly Murphy in the end zone after Strom’s interception to cut the Griffin lead to 14.

“You can’t give up in a game like this,” free safety Matt Harper said. “We were down 28 points, and we came back. But it just wasn’t enough.”

Strom connected with receiver Maurice Purify on a 20-yard touchdown pass with six minutes left to bring the Rams within seven points. The Griffins responded, converting on 4th-and-10 to gain a crucial first down, which led to a 30-yard Jared Ballman field goal.

The Rams scored again on a 12-yard Strom-Purify hookup with nine seconds remaining, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the 10-point deficit.

Purify was named Offensive Player of the Game, with 104 yards off six catches and two touchdowns. Most Outstanding Player of the Game honors went to Grossmont’s Murphy.

e-mail: sports@theguardsman.com

BASKETBALL TEAM CAPTAIN KILLED IN SHOOTING

BY DAN VEREL
Editor

Terrell Anderson

While most students were enjoying the month-long winter recess, the men’s basketball team endured a loss that far exceeds any statistical column: Rams team captain Terrell Anderson was shot and killed outside the Velvet Lounge night club in North Beach on Dec. 26. He was 23.

A San Francisco native, Anderson lived much of his life in New Orleans. In the summer of 2004, just two weeks before Hurricane Katrina, he moved back to San Francisco with his two-year-old daughter Sequira Williams-Anderson. He is survived by his mother, Cassandra Hughes of Oakland, his daughter, and his siblings. The family preferred to not comment on the untimely death.

Two days before the fatal shooting, Anderson’s father, James Anderson, 55, of Macon, Ga., died of diabetes complications. The younger Anderson was set to travel to Georgia to handle the funeral arrangements the day he was killed.

“He had a real infectious smile and personality,” head coach Justin Labagh said of Anderson, who had recently signed a letter of intent to the University of San Francisco, where he was to play Division I basketball. “Everyone he came in contact with really liked him. He was just an all around nice kid.”

No suspects have been apprehended, and a motive has not been established by the San Francisco Police Department, except that the shooting stemmed from an argument outside of the club. The investigation is ongoing.

Despite mourning the loss of a team leader, the Rams have played well, maintaining an 11-1 record since the incident occurred about a month ago.

“Now we’ve got to try to make that goal that Terrell wanted. Just try to win a championship now,” said two-sport athlete Maurice Purify, who recently joined the team as a walk-on.

“He was a good teammate, he made sure everything was cool,” teammate Dave McSwain said. “He was our captain.”

A scholarship fund had been created for Anderson’s daughter by the men’s basketball team. They will be
collecting checks and donations. Checks should be made out to EdVest College Savings Plan, and mailed to:

EdVest College Savings Plan
C/o Men’s Basketball team
City College of San Francisco
50 Phelan Ave. San Francisco, Ca. 94112

e-mail: associatemanaging@theguardsman.com

SCOREBOARD

Men's Basketball

The Rams played brilliantly and hold a 20-3 record, despite the death of forward Terrell Anderson and loss of guard Ron Manigault to a foot injury.The Rams beat Chabot in overtime 85-81. Wide receiver-turned center Maurice Purify had 20 points and 13 rebounds, but received two technical fouls for hanging on the rim after dunks and was benched in overtime. His replacement, forward Patrick Dreith, scored five of the Rams 13 points in overtime.The Rams lost to Foothill in overtime after a three-point basket at the buzzer that put the Owls up 94-93. Point guard Eric Turner had 18 points and 11 assists, but made a costly turnover that led to an Owl three-pointer that sent the game into overtime. Purify had 23 points. The Rams mauled Canada in a 91-45 romp. Purify and forward Dave McSwain scored 19 points apiece. Purify also added 10 rebounds. — Miles Harwell

Women's Basketball

The Rams have played solidly over winter break and currently hold a record of 18-6. The team has gone undefeated in the Coast Conference where it is ranked first. The Rams also are ranked 3rd in Northern California and 6th statewide. Forward Pernisha Battle has led the Rams in scoring throughout the season, averaging 12.2 points per game. Center Ramona Vae has been the team’s leader in rebounds, averaging 7.2 rebounds to accompany her 11.1 points. Guard Trish Alaba has led the team in assists with 6.1 per game, and has also averaged 10.6 points per game. Against Mission, the Rams were dominant, winning 86-16. Guard Andrea Ohlssen scored 21 points, dished out five assists and went 5-for-10 from three-point range. The Rams impressive play continued against De Anza, where they won 68-41. Battle led the Rams with 14 points. Alaba scored 11 points and Vae added nine points in the contest. —Miles Harwell