Warriors thrive on pressure

Every day is game day for the Cal State Stanislaus men's basketball team.

The Warriors don't need the National Anthem, introductions or a crowd.

As long as there's competition, their game faces are on. Without the promise of a winner and a loser, it's just not the same.

"There has to be a reward or punishment," coach Keith Larsen said. "Every practice, every drill. There has to be some competitive aspect."

Stanislaus created lots of pressure situations to get ready for its own County Bank Classic, held today and Saturday at Warrior Arena. Stanislaus plays Dominican tonight at 7, following a 5:30 p.m. game between Western New Mexico and Azusa Pacific.

In shooting drills, the winning team is probably the one with Richard Maraker, whom Larsen described as the best shooter in the California Collegiate Athletic Association.

The team with Chris Hayes might consider itself lucky in defensive exercises, since he makes things happen on that end. Of course, if the other defensive unit counters with Terry Johnson, deciding a winner could take a long time.

"This generation is unique in that they're all about quick things," Larsen said. "Right now. My team against your team. I beat you. That's their reward."

Being on the losing side doesn't sit well with the Warriors, and they began the season with two narrow losses last week at the Elgin Baylor Classic in Seattle.

It's not a feeling they intend to get used to. With a mix of program veterans and junior transfers, and talent throughout the roster, Stanislaus hopes to surprise the same coaches who picked the Warriors to finish eighth in the preseason poll.

"There's no superstar," Larsen said. "It's just a bunch of guys who get together to play ball. We just play. We very rarely adjust to other teams. We know what they try to do offensively and we try to take that away. We don't get real detailed."

The Warriors don't get too excited, either. Consistency is one of the things Larsen likes about them. Beating Division I opponent Santa Clara 69-68 in an exhibition game Nov. 5 didn't give them an inflated sense of themselves.

Stanislaus played two very different games in Seattle, a high-scoring 116-113 overtime loss to St. Martin's followed by a more defensive 60-59 loss to Seattle. The Warriors shake it off and move on to the next challenge.

Veterans pacing the team include point guard Duane Jones, guards Heath Colvin, Maraker and Calvin Westbrook and forwards Scott Behrs, Rick Cardoso and Casey Fletcher.

In 2006-07, Cardoso set the school record for blocked shots (38) in a single season.

J.R. Cassita, Hayes and Johnson are community college transfers with similar "whatever it takes to win" mentalities as the core group. Freshmen Rod Stephens of Downey High and Justin Clardy, who attended but did not play at Eastern Connecticut State last year, round out the lineup.

"We have 10 guys where you look down the bench and can go to at any time," Larsen said. "There's no drop-off. I have so many areas to go to. The play real well together and use all of it, everything they've got."

Bee staff writer Kelly Jones can be reached at kjones@modbee.com or 578-2300.