3 guards sign with Poly men's hoops program

Cal Poly men’s basketball head coach Kevin Bromley confirmed Wednesday that the program has received national letters of intent from two high school seniors and one community college transfer.

Six-foot, four-inch swingman Shawn Lewis of Bishop O’Dowd High in Oakland, 6-3 combo guard Bo Henning of Christian Brothers High in Sacramento and 6-2 point guard Lorenzo Keeler of Mt. San Jacinto College have all sent their national letters of intent to Cal Poly, Bromley said.

“I think we needed to add to our tremendous depth with Dawin (Whiten) and Trae (Clark),” Bromley said Wednesday in a phone interview. “Dawin’s going to be a senior next year. I feel we have some good things in place. We add a lot of guard depth.”

It is unclear exactly what role each player will have upon their arrivals, but each comes highly touted by various recruiting services.

Lewis averaged 22 points per game this past season, leading Bishop O’Dowd to a 26-7 record and an appearance in the Division III state title game.

“Shawn is a great athlete,” Bromley said. “He’s going to be somebody who came from a great, winning program. He knows how to win. He brings a winner’s attitude automatically to our team. He can turn a dunk on you without taking a step.”

Henning led Christian Brothers (16-13) in both points (23.9) and rebounds (5.7) per game in 2006-07.

“Bo Henning is a coach’s son, can play point, also play the combo,” Bromley said. “I’m going to ask him to do everything. He’ll be ready.”

Of Keeler, Bromley said: “His recruitment was heavy. We enjoyed him and his family. He’s going to bring tremendous depth and scoring ability. People are going to be excited about him.”

The Sacramento Bee reported Henning’s signing Feb. 28 and the San Francisco Chronicle reported Lewis’ signing last Saturday.

Bromley said he hopes the recruits can carry on a proud tradition of guard play at Cal Poly, which has been home to standouts in the past such as Ben Larson, Mike Wozniak, Jason Allen, Kameron Gray and others.

“We have some rich tradition here,” Bromley said. “Ever since I got here with Ben Larson, Mike Wozniak and now with Chaz (Thomas) and Trae (Clark), Bo is going to be a continued part of that tradition. He has the luxury to play behind a couple guys who are good right now.”

Coming off a breakout 19-11 season in which it reached the Big West Conference Tournament title game, Cal Poly is still enjoying the benefits of its recruiting class from two years ago, which included Clark, Thomas and forward Coby Leavitt.

The Mustangs return all but three players, but must replace starting forwards Derek Stockalper and Tyler McGinn.

This past season, Cal Poly set a Division I school record for wins in a season (19), had its best Big West winning percentage ever (.643), its best record and most wins overall since going 19-9 at the Division II level in 1991-92, a 12-2 mark at home and 13 wins in its last 16 games.

Bromley said the success his team enjoyed this past season could not have hurt during the recruiting process.

“It helps a lot,” he said. “Good players want to play with good players. We’ve got a few TV games and finished second in the conference.”

Last season, Cal Poly’s only true freshman recruit was Charles Anderson. He averaged only 5.9 minutes in eight games, but Bromley and his coaching staff have plans for the 6-6 swingman from Bakersfield.

“Charles had a chance to learn and grow and play behind two very good players,” Bromley said. “It helps a lot.”

Bromley emphasized the importance of his three departing seniors not only to the program, but to the university as a whole.

All three players will graduate this quarter, Bromley said, with degrees in history (Stockalper), business (McGinn) and ecology and systematic biology (Joe Henry).

“Those guys graduated and did a great job,” Bromley said. “Those are real positive stories. We’re proud of them for what they’ve done.”

Bromley said Stockalper, who was born in Vevey, Switzerland, plans on soon joining the Swiss National Team. The two-time first-team All-Big West pick led the Mustangs in both points (14.4) and rebounds (7.0) per game this past season.

“They have some big shoes to fill,” Bromley said, referring to Stockalper, McGinn and Henry, all of whom forwards. “We feel we have a really touted recruiting class. We think we’ve really benefited from the signing period.”

Stockalper will join several other former Mustangs currently playing overseas, including Gabe Stephenson in New Zealand and Varnie Dennis in France.

Past Mustangs who have played overseas include Chris Bjorklund, David Henry and Allen.