By Beth Renkoski

07/21/09

Lions Add Pair of Hoopsters

Daniel Cornelius

Tremayne Gipson

Costa Mesa, Calif - The Vanguard University men’s basketball program is happy to announce the signing of a pair of freshmen players to the team for the upcoming 2009-10 season. The Vanguard Lions welcome the addition of Tremayne Gipson and Daniel Cornelius as VU Head Coach Fred Litzenberger prepares for his fourth season at the helm of the program.

Cornelius, a 2009 graduate of Phoenix Christian in Arizona, brings offensive and defensive skills to the paint for Vanguard. The 6’8" power forward scored 21 points and grabbed 10 rebounds per game as a senior and was also honored as an All-Region and All-State selection. Voted the Most Valuable Player on the basketball team, Cornelius also played tennis at Phoenix Christian.

"Daniel is the first inside player we have been able to sign as a freshman, and is a good scorer and rebounder," stated Litzenberger. "He has great inside moves and can step out and shoot the ball from the outside."

Gipson comes to Vanguard from Citrus Hill High School where he was also the team MVP. Playing in the Mountain Pass League, the 6’1" point guard was an All-League selection as he averaged 17 points, five rebounds, and three assists per game for CHHS. Aside from his work on the court, Gipson participated in CHHS’s "Reading Rebounders" program involving reading to local elementary schools and speaking to them about the importance of integrity. He plans on majoring in accounting or business while studying at Vanguard University.

"Tremayne is an outstanding student, comes from a great family, and is one of the most outstanding young players ever signed by our program," says Litzenberger. "He can play multiple positions and we look for great things from him in the future."

Looking ahead, the Lions have a tough schedule facing them. Beginning the season at a tournament in Lewiston, Idaho, the Lions also face NCAA Division I UC Irvine and Long Beach State as well as a trio of talented Division II schools before getting into the heart of the Golden State Athletic Conference season.