Burke bolsters Vanguard bigs

Statistically, sophomore TJ Burke was the least impressive of the Vanguard University men’s basketball team’s big men who helped the Lions overpower Bethesda in the opening round of the Bill Reynolds Holiday Classic on Tuesday at Vanguard.

But when one learns the back story behind the 6-foot-9, 235-pounder’s six points, one rebound and one steal in 10 reserve minutes of a 91-64 Vanguard romp, the appreciation multiplies substantially.

“He has basically missed all three years of college basketball career,” Vanguard Coach Rhett Soliday said of the UC Riverside transfer, whose first season at UCR ended early due to a broken foot.

“His second year at Riverside, he tore his ACL very early in the season and was out for the year. Then, his first game here last season, he tore his [right] ACL again. So, even though he has played parts of those three seasons, he has never played a full season. This was an emotional one, coming back from it and getting through it after three major injuries in a row. You could see he was still pretty tentative out there, but he was pretty excited as well.”

So, during the postgame ritual that allows any Vanguard player or coach to deliver locker room praise about anyone in the program, it was no surprise that Burke was the go-to recipient.

“It was pretty cool to see the guys praise [Burke] for his commitment to the team, to continue to grind and rehab to be back because he really cares about these guys,” Soliday said.

After sitting out the first semester in order to align his eligibility and allow for two more years on the court after this season, Burke was part of the grind that proved too much for the Flames, particularly along the front line.

Keith Mason, a 6-foot-8 senior post, had 20 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, two blocked shots and one steal to lead the winners, who produced a 50-32 advantage on points in the paint and, with 18 offensive rebounds, amassed a 26-11 edge in second-chance points.

Kwinn Hanson, a 6-6 junior who started at forward in place of 6-8 sophomore Zach Allmon (nursing a sore ankle) had 10 points and four rebounds.

Allmon pitched in 13 points, six rebounds, two assists and two steals in 20 minutes, while 6-6 swing man John Staats contributed 10 points, eight rebounds, three assists and one steal.

The combined frontline production helped the Lions dominate inside against a Bethesda team that started four guards, with only one player as tall as 6-5.

Vanguard (9-6), which halted a two-game losing streak, led throughout and by as much as 31, largely by riding its size advantage.

“That was kind of our game plan,” Solidlay said of funneling the ball inside, which also helped open the perimeter well enough to help the Lions net 11 of 27 three-point attempts (40.7%).

The Lions had just 11 turnovers, 14 fewer than the Flames (3-14), who at times stayed close by shooting 45.6% from the field, including seven for 13 from beyond the arc (nearly 54%).

Vanguard, the reigning NAIA Division I champion, received 13 points from senior All-American guard Chris Gorman and nine more from freshman Christian Ware-Berry to surpass the 90-point plateau for the fourth time this season, the first time in four games.

“We have a lot of bigs and a lot of variety as well,” said Mason, who made 10 of 14 field-goal tries in 23 minutes. “I think we all bring something different and we all play off one another really well.

“It was great to see TJ back,” Mason said. “He did a great job. He’s a big player, so we’re excited to have him back. He’ll help us take some pressure off our guards.”

Sophomore guard Alex Reynolds led the Flames with 21 points. He made all five of his three-point attempts and was eight for nine from the field.

Vanguard completes the tournament on Wednesday at 3:30 against University of Fraser Valley.

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Bill Reynolds Holiday Classic

Vanguard 91, Bethesda 64

BU – Ware 12, Reynolds 21, Chavez 12, King 4, Holieway 0, Castro 8, Latham 6, Walker 1.

3-pt. goals – Reynolds 5, Chavez 2.

Fouled out – None.

Technicals – None.

VU – Mason 20, Hanson 10, Gorman 13, Smith 5, Jones 3, Allmon 13, Staats 10, Ware 9, Muandumba 6, Diandy 2.

3-pt. goals – Gorman 3, Ware 3, Staats 2, Smith 1, Jones 1, Allmon 1.

Fouled out – None.

Technicals – None.