Nine newcomers sign with Cal Maritime men’s basketball
VALLEJO, Calif. – Nine new cadet-athletes will join Cal Maritime's men's basketball program, starting with the 2022-23 season, as announced by head coach Tim Bross on Monday.
Justice Cole, Richard Corona, DJ Henry., Lee Jones Jr., Shawn Kelly, Miles Macayan, Everett Perrot, Alex Rentsch and Lunden Taylor will join a group of six returners, who led the Keelhaulers to the semifinal round in last March's California Pacific Conference Men's Basketball Tournament, once preseason workouts commence in late August.
Justice Cole (Fresno, Calif./Yuba College)
Attended Central High School in Fresno, California, before continuing his athletic career at Yuba College… Shot .529 from the floor throughout his 18 games played in 2021-22… Averaged 4.6 rebounds per game as a sophomore… Averaged 4.4 rebounds per game, the highest figure among all freshman during the 2019-20 campaign — one that ended prematurely due to COVID-19… Played 14 games in his first season at Yuba College… Graduated from Central High School before continuing his academic and athletic career at the junior college level… Arrives to Cal Maritime with two years of eligibility.
Head Coach Tim Bross: "Justice brings toughness and grit to our program; he comes from a basketball family and experienced success at Yuba College. We will look for him to add depth to our interior as we value his mobility, athleticism and rebounding prowess."
Richard Corona (Fresno, Calif./Pacific Union)
Finished the 2021-22 season ranked No. 1 in the Cal Pac Conference with his .429 shooting percentage from three... Scored double figures in eight games throughout his sophomore season… Named a starter in nine of 17 games at Pacific Union… Posted a career-high 18 points twice at PUC: vs. Park Gilbert early in Cal Pac Conference play and in his penultimate game of the season when the Pioneers hosted UC Santa Cruz… Averaged 23.9 minutes, 7.4 points and 2.4 rebounds per game… Transferred to PUC as a redshirt sophomore… Started three of 28 games during the 2019-20 season at Reedley College… Shot .441 from the floor and .411 from three in his first season with the Tigers… Also averaged 8.3 ppg that year… Spent his redshirt freshman season at Fresno Pacific before transferring to Reedley College for his first season of action at the collegiate level… Averaged 12.0 points, 4.0 assists and 2.0 steals per game as a three-year letterwinner at Clovis East High School… Scored a career-high 36 points against Modesto Christian… Also played football and baseball for three seasons at Clovis East… Arrives to Cal Maritime with two years of eligibility.
Head Coach Tim Bross: "Richard is a familiar face since he comes to Cal Maritime from our rival, Pacific Union. Known for his outside shooting ability, we will look for him to bolster our offensive attack. Since he is a college basketball veteran, we expect him to bring a competitive fire to our program."
DJ Henry (Lakewood, Calif./St. John Bosco HS)
St. John Bosco compiled a 45-14 overall record (.762) during his two years with the program… The Braves ended the 2020-21 season as CIF Southern California Regional champions… Competed in 31 games — one of only three players to break the 30-game-played threshold —during the 2021-22 season… Averaged a team-high 5.3 assists and 2.4 steals per game as a senior… Henry led the Braves to the state playoffs for the fifth year in a row, and helped his team earn a berth in the semifinals during his last year at the school… Arrives to Cal Maritime with four years of eligibility.
Head Coach Tim Bross: "DJ is a promising point guard from Southern California, his experience at St. John Bosco will serve him and our program well for years to come. We are excited to see how DJ develops during his time at Cal Maritime based on a work ethic and level of commitment displayed this summer."
Lee Jones Jr. (San Mateo, Calif./Las Positas College)
Shot .545 overall, .542 from three and .862 from the free throw line in his final season at Las Positas College… Earned All-Coast Conference First Team honors… Averaged 11.8 points, a team-high 5.9 assists and 2.1 rebounds per game as a sophomore… Ended his career at LPC with 617 points, 135 rebounds, 298 assists and 69 steals… Last season, Jones helped lead the team to its inaugural California State championship appearance, a 27-4 overall and 12-2 conference record, set new program records for the most overall wins and conference victories in a season… Led Junipero Serra High School (San Mateo, California) to a CIF State championship as its point guard… Arrives to Cal Maritime with two years of eligibility.
Head Coach Tim Bross: "Lee is a high-performing student and proven winner. His academic and competitive achievements are notable, and we are excited to add a point guard with his ability to distribute. We expect Lee to make important contributions right away, as he helped his high school and junior college teams reach new heights."
Shawn Kelly (West Palm Beach, Fla./Alan Hancock College)
Started 18 of 26 games, averaged 9.6 points and 7.8 rebounds per game throughout his sophomore season at Alan Hancock College… Earned Western State Conference Honorable Mention… Shot .523 from the floor and .308 from three… His rebounding average was the second highest on the team… Led by his career-high 21 points vs. Los Angeles Pierce College, Kelly posted double-digit scoring totals in 10 games… Played one season at Colorado Northwestern College, and competed in 26 games, before transferring… Graduated from Forest Hill Community High School before continuing his athletic and academic career at CNC… Arrives to Cal Maritime with two years of eligibility.
Head Coach Tim Bross: "It is our pleasure to welcome Shawn to Cal Maritime. He is committed, hungry, and focused on team success. He is a well-rounded person who has demonstrated leadership skills. His athleticism is complemented by a strong work ethic, we hope Shawn serves as a role model for our team."
Miles Macayan (Folsom, Calif./Folsom HS)
Macayan helped Folsom High School finish the 2021-22 season ranked No. 28 in the state of California by MaxPreps… Earned All-Metro accolades from the Sacramento Bee following the conclusion of his senior season… The Bulldogs finished with a combined 35-9 (.795) overall record and won 16 of 18 (.888) conference games during Macayan's tenure with the program… Folsom High School won the Sierra Foothill League during his junior and senior seasons… Competed for Capital Christian High School (Sacramento, California) before transferring after his sophomore season… Arrives to Cal Maritime with four years of eligibility.
Head Coach Tim Bross: "Miles is a high-quality young man known for his strong team play. He is an accomplished student, has connections to Vallejo, and has been working hard to expand his game. We are looking forward to seeing how his hard work pays off."
Everett Perrot (Elk Grove, Calif./Cal State Monterey Bay)
Earned his bachelor's degree in intercultural communication from Pepperdine in 2021… Attended Cal State Monterey Bay for post-baccalaureate studies… Three-time Scholar-Athlete at Pepperdine… Two-time West Coast Conference Commissioner's Honor Roll selection… His father, Marcus, played football at Pacific… His sister, Quinn, was a volleyball student-athlete at Long Island University and UC Santa Barbara… Everett graduated from Christian Brothers High School (Sacramento, California) before continuing his academic and athletic career at Pepperdine… Averaged 25.5 points and 11.3 rebounds per game during his senior season at Christian Brothers… Also earned All-Capital Athletic League accolades that year… His final two years of eligibility will take place at Cal Maritime.
Head Coach Tim Bross: "We are excited for the opportunity to work with Everett since he was part of two high-quality programs in Pepperdine and Cal State Monterey Bay. He is a physically gifted athlete who works extremely hard. Everett's best work takes place in the paint, we cannot wait to see what he can accomplish as a Keelhauler."
Alex Rentsch (Sheridan, Ore./Mt. Hood CC)
Graduated from Sheridan High School before continuing his academic and athletic career at Mt. Hood Community College… Competed in 18 games throughout the 2021-22 season… Arrives to Cal Maritime with two years of eligibility.
Head Coach Tim Bross: "We're fired up Alex chose Cal Maritime because he helped his Mt. Hood Community College team reach the NWAC Championships Round of 16 last season and possesses great potential. His 6-11 frame will afford us new opportunities this season, we look forward to working with Alex to expand his skill set."
Lunden Taylor (Fresno, Calif./UC San Diego)
Graduated from San Joaquin Memorial High School (Fresno, California) before continuing his academic and athletic career at UC San Diego… Averaged 17 points, seven rebounds and six assists at SJMHS… High school honor roll includes All-State First Team accolades, two All-County Metro League MVP awards and First Team Performer recognition… Led the Panthers to a section title… Arrives to Cal Maritime with two years of eligibility.
Head Coach Tim Bross: "We are pleased that Lunden is a Keelhauler. He is joining us from a strong UC San Diego program where he thrived in the classroom and was an important part of the Tritons' success. Lunden has a great feel for the game, worked hard to develop as a three-point shooter; his maturity and experience are invaluable to our program.