Daily 49er, March 7, 2019

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LONG BEACH STATE UNIVERSITY | VOL. LXX, ISSUE 35 | MARCH 7, 2019

Deishuan Booker leads the NCAA with 238 free throws made this season.

2 NEWS

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INSIDE

ON THE COVER

THE

NINER Campus marijuana reportings on the rise page 3

Senior guard Deishuan Booker shoots a free throw against UC Riverside Wednesday night.

AUSTIN BRUMBLAY Daily 49er

Seniors prepare for graduation at annual grad fair page 8 Deishuan Booker perfects the art of free throw shooting page 11

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1250 Bellflower Blvd., LA4-201 Long Beach, CA 90840-4601 Kat Schuster Editor in Chief eicd49er@gmail.com

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ASI

Senate votes unanimously for new commissioners Appointees will represent the various needs of the community.

By Perry Continente Assistant News Editor

Commissioners representing the needs of specific groups of students were appointed to Associated Students Inc. after being interviewed by the President’s board and confirmed by ASI senate.

The three positions, Commissioners for International Students, Pregnant and Parenting and Veteran affairs were filled by Stephany Triska, Erika Rodriguez and Kaleb Lee respectively.

Commissioners are responsible for communicating the needs of the groups they represent to the senate and president.

ASI Vice President Leen Almahdi explained how the positions are appointed.

“The ones that were confirmed were interviewed by the president [of ASI] and the chief diversity officer,” she said.

Almahdi added that commissioner’s

job is to represent an aspect of Long Beach State’s diverse population and is part of the reason for the Chief Diversity Officer interview.

ASI Senate made time for the applicants to speak about their goals for the positions.

Lee and Rodriguez were not present at Wednesday’s ASI Senate meeting, but Triska was present and spoke about her hopes for the position.

“Since I came here, I faced issues with housing security, also the fear of not paying my fees on time … these are things I want to take into account,” she said. “I want to be that person who empowers international students.”

The senate voted unanimously to appoint Triska.

Senator Omar Prudencio Gonzalez spoke after the meeting about Triska’s professionalism.

“She is friendly, she is amazing, she speaks for herself,” he said. “You can tell she genuinely cares about the issues that students from international communities face.”

After the meeting, Triska explained that her sense of civic duty combined with being an international student made her perfect for the position.

While Rodriguez wasn’t present, she did send a written statement.

“I truly believe great things are coming on campus for pregnant and parenting students,” Rodriguez wrote. “It is truly a privilege to be in this position and to advocate for the needs of the community on campus.”

Rodriguez was confirmed unanimously.

Lee’s message was presented before the senate where he stated that his status as a member of the reserves and his current work as the president of the Student Council of Natural Sciences as well as his position in the Anime Club qualify him for the position.

Lee was also confirmed unanimously.

The next ASI meeting will be held at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 13 in USU 234.

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Q&A

out there on campus and he acknowledged Jesus is his lord and savior.

On this current trip, we’ve been on the road since January, and we’ve had 25 confessions of faith. These are people in the midst of the crowd who wanted prayer or to confess their sins, acknowledge Jesus is the Lord and Savior, some of them we even baptized out there on campus.

Of course, my main trophy you might say is that my wife was converted through my ministry at the University of Florida back in the late ‘70s, and of course she’s traveling with me too. The first thing I ever said to her after she came out and made fun of me was, ‘Rid of your sins you wicked woman,’ never imagining that four years later she would end up being my wife.

Brother Jed talks ‘conversational evangelism’

Why do you hold up signs that say, “You Deserve Hell”?

By Kelly Traynor Staff Writer

That’s the hook you might say, to get their attention. All day students will come up and ask ‘Why do I deserve hell,’ and I say you deserve hell the same way that everyone does, that we’ve all sinned and when we sin and turn our back on God then automatically we face hell. The good news is that God offers us what we don’t deserve – forgiveness, eternal life, a relationship with him. All through faith in Jesus Christ. But if we reject Jesus as Lord and Savior, then we get what justice of the law demands, which is eternal damnation. So, we use the signs as a way of getting their attention.

J

ed Smock, better known as Brother Jed, is a campus preacher famous for his method of preaching he describes as “confrontational evangelism.” He has traveled to college campuses around the world to preach the gospel and denounce “sinful nature.”

The 76-year-old is recognized for holding signs that say “You Deserve Hell,” and provoking students as they walk by. Brother Jed made his last visit to Long Beach State on Feb. 26 and stirred controversy on upper campus.

What drew you into visiting college campuses specifically?

What religion are you?

I’m a Christian. I am a member of the Methodist Church, but I’m not an ordained Methodist minister, and I don’t represent Methodism on campus. We’re non-denominational in our approach to the ministry. We represent the kingdom of God in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, the blessed Trinity.

How long have you been Christian?

I was converted in 1972.

How did you get converted?

I got involved in the drug radical revolutionary movements in the ‘60s, and I ended up living in a hippie commune in Morocco, worshipping the sun, howling at the moon.

I was practically out of my mind. On Christmas Day in 1971, a man carrying a cross marched into the commune in the midst of our hippie ban and began to preach in the name of Jesus. I got to thinking, despite all my education, I never read the Bible. I knew that the Bible was the most influential book in human history, I mean, I have a master’s degree in history. So as I read it I got to considering: “If this book is true, I’m in trouble.

RYAN GUITARE | Daily 49er

George Edward “Jed” Smock, also known as Brother Jed speaks to students at Long Beach State about religion. Brother Jed preches mainly on college campuses to express his views.

I’m headed for hell.” And that put the fear of God in me. Solomon in the book of Proverbs said that the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom, so I returned to the states and started going to church. In 1972, I committed my life to the Lord and God sent me back to the campuses to tell my story and preach. Since that time, I’ve been on hundreds of campuses in the states as well as campuses abroad.

I’m on some campus somewhere five hours a day, five days a week. I’ve been coming to Long Beach State virtually annually since that time preaching.

Do you feel like you receive a lot of backlash when you visit the campuses?

Oh undoubtedly. We get mostly backlash, but that’s why I call my approach to evangelism confrontational evangelism; we attack the students’ basic philosophy of life, which is based upon multiculturalism or pluralism.

We’re not only saying that Christianity is the best way, but that Jesus is the only way to God — to eternal life.

Have you had students come up to you with conversion stories?

Oh yes, matter of fact we prayed with a young man when we were at Long Beach State last week. Second day we were there, it was the late afternoon and there weren’t too many students left. He expressed an interest in being saved, and he confessed some sins

I’ve spent all my life around college and university campuses. My father was an English professor and I taught history at the University of Wisconsin so that was the community I knew well. I determined that students are the future of our country and the future of the world.

What would you say to those who think you’re turning people off to Christianity?

Well to an extent that’s true, but when it comes right down to it, Jesus turned most people off. They tried to kill him more than once before they succeeded, and the disciples of Jesus were regularly mocked, ridiculed, spit on, mobbed, beaten, stoned, imprisoned. They offended most people, but of course not everybody was offended, and some do get saved.

We find initially though students might be offended, as offended as they are, they’ll stay out there hour after hour, often day after day listening to what we have to say. If they’re so turned off, why do they stay out there listening, discussing and arguing? Often they say they’re so offended but before they leave they ask us, ‘When are you going to be back?

What time? We’ll be here!’

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SUBSTANCE

Marijuana clouds the campus UPD has received numerous complaints about the drug.

By Jaycob Martinez Contributing writer

D

espite a campus wide ban on marijuana, the drug’s use is still prevalent.

In the past three months, there have been 12 marijuana complaints reported to the University Police Department. The complaints have came from parking lots, dorm rooms and other buildings on campus, according to the UPD activity log.

Marijuana complaints at school remain at a time after Mayor Robert Garcia signed an ordinance last year that made marijuana legal to sell and use in the city of Long Beach.

“The way we handle these complaints depends on the violation of law,” said Capt.

Richard Goodwin of the UPD. “The school may follow federal law, but we generally follow state law.”

Goodwin added that marijuana complaints in the dorm rooms would be typically handled by whomever is in charge of housing and as far as arrests go. Moreover, parents or guardians may be notified about any disciplinary violation involving a controlled substance which has been committed by a student who is under the age of 21.

“I’d much rather chew you [out] than write you a ticket” Goodwin said. “People may

“

think that police are just out to get them and write them a ticket, but in this scenario of marijuana, chewing [out] someone and not giving them the ticket is more of an educational experience for them. They will be told their laws, but it’s the educational safety.”

The drug policy for LBSU states that the use, possession or sale of marijuana and any THC derivatives are prohibited on campus grounds. The drug policy does not change for medical use.

“I think as long as it’s out of the way it doesn’t bother me,” said David Moreno a criminal justice major. “It’s not like they’re using it right in front of people. I see some people smoking cigarettes right outside classroom and I think that’s disgusting.”Moreno added that students who bring marijuana to campus must be considerate about other people who do not want to be around it.

“That’s their problem, not mine,” said Michael Alvarez, business management major.“If I smell it or saw someone with red eyes who seems to be high, I’d rather ignore it. It’s their choice.”

According to the National Institution of Drug Abuse, frequent marijuana use can lead to a form of addiction.“Our society has changed,” Goodwin said. “You come to school to get an education. These decisions of bringing marijuana and smoking it can hurt that. You can be coming to school, but at the same time you can be addicted.”

If I smell it or saw someone with red eyes who seems to be high, I’d rather ignore it. It’s their choice.

”

Michael Alvarez, a business management major

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GALLERY

LBSU artists get personal This week’s installments focus on artists’ personal values and beliefs that make them who they are.

By Alex Lucio Jr. Staff Writer

A

n oversized Chinese scroll, three life size multi-color boxes and a live art video performance are just three of 15 works presented at the “Roll Call” exhibition this week.

A plethora of sculptures clutter the Gatov student art galleries — no matter where you stand there is artwork in your sight and even a slight hum in your ear from the multiple sound tubes located throughout, playing sounds relevant to different works.

“Roll Call” is a group show consisting of works from 15 Bachelor of Fine Arts, sculpture students. Walking into the gallery, attendees are welcomed by a variety of different styles of sculpture. Some pieces hang from the ceiling, some hang from the wall and some are propped up from the floor.

Although there is no set subject matter for the collective, a common theme of the works in the exhibition is that the artworks are personal experiences the artists have had.

Artists explored a variety of motifs encompassing self-importance such as childhood memories, vulnerability, environmentalism, hyperconsumption, beauty, history, sexuality and culture.

“We don’t really have a theme because we don’t want people to be limited in how they want to show their artwork,” said junior BFA sculpture student Fengwan Qing.

Qing’s piece, “PRECIOUS?” nods to her Chinese culture and challenges the idea of how people in past cultures treated items of value compared to how they treat valuable items today. Her piece consists of a 7-foot scroll with “Do you think this is precious or not?” written in Chinese using black ink and two wooden clothing pins holding valuable coins.

“I feel like it was a very raw experience that

every artist had, because their voice is being heard and I think it’s very beautiful to have that,” said Alvaro Alvarez Salazar Fall, senior BFA sculpture student.

Alvarez Salazar Fall’s piece titled, “Live Art to Beethoven Triple Concerto in C Minor for Piano, Chorus,” is a video of the artist physically reacting to classical music while confined in a cellophane cube and surrounded by different colored paints. Over the course of an hour, he performs a (previously filmed) live “performance” at an art gallery. Alvarez Salazar Fall moves erratically along to the flow of the classical music, while painting the surrounding walls with his body.

He said the piece is about the process of creating art. Alvarez Salazar Fall’s work features the words “No Dance or Performance” because he claims that his “performance,” as he refers to it himself, is not choreographed, but in the spirit of the moment therefore it is not a typical performance.

“When you read the titles you get a little sneak peak of their [the artist’s] personality,” said Heidi Fernandez Saavedra, junior BFA sculpture student.

Fernandez Saavedra’s piece titled, “Give Me Life,” is three brightly painted wooden boxes with holes drilled in them with different items contained inside. The tallest teal box has ribbons, the middle purple box has live flowers and the shortest yellow box has light shining inside.

More works on display are titled; “How many times do I need to ask if you’d rather have a trans son or a dead daughter before the answer hurts a little less,” “Remembering how to feed myself 00:12:31” and “No te cortes el pelo que los hombres les gustan el pelo largo.”

“Roll Call” and the three student exhibitions will run until Thursday noon to 5 p.m. and are located between Fine Arts Building 2 and Fine Arts Building 3.

ALEX LUCIO JR. | Daily 49er

“PRECIOUS?” by Fengwan Qing juxtaposes past and present as well as cultures.

ALEX LUCIO JR. | Daily 49er

Alvaro Alvarez Salazar Fall stands in front of his video, “Live Art to Beethoven Triple Concerto in C Minor for Piano, Chorus.”

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ARTS & LIFE 7

CELEBRATION

Preparing for Puvungna Pow Wow The Native American cultural celebration will take place across two days this weekend.

By Rachel Barnes Arts & Life Editor rachelsalien

Years of American Indian tradition will be on full display at the 49th Annual California State University, Long Beach Pow Wow Saturday and Sunday at Puvungna.

The LBSU Pow Wow is the largest spring celebration in Southern California and usually attracts an estimate of 6,000 people during the two-day event, according to American Indian Studies Director Craig Stone.

The event will feature performances such as gourd dancing, which is a traditional dance of the Kiowa tribe to honor warriors and veterans, as well as inter-tribal dancing.

People attending the event are welcome to join in on the dance as long as they register before 2 p.m. on Saturday.

“This is not just a performance,” said Master of Ceremony Arlie Neskahi. “This is what

we do to gather together and celebrate.”

Pow Wow will include many vendors selling traditional and contemporary art pieces for guests to purchase. There will also be native foods available to buy such as mutton and beef stew, Navajo tacos, fry bread and Indian burgers, according to AIS officials.

Neskahi said he enjoys this event because it gives the Native American community to correct harmful stereotypes that still circulate today.

“In today’s kind of world I get a lot of hope from the young people in our society,” Neskahi said. “We build upon our respect and support of each other.”

Pow Wow will take place Saturday and Sunday, beginning at 11 a.m. both days. The ceremonies will end 10 p.m. Saturday and 6 p.m. on Sunday. Admission and parking are free for all attendees. The official event schedule can be found at the Pow Wow webpage.

ANGELA TRUONG | Daily 49er Representatives of various tribal backgrounds participate in a drum circle to celebrate their culture. The 49th AnnualLBSU Pow Wow will take place in the Central Quad Saturday and Sunday.

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GRADUATION FAIR

Grads gather for cerimonial garb Seniors flock to the bookstore to prepare for graduation.

SABRINA FLORES | Daily 49er Senior computer science major Minhkhoa Vu poses for his graduation photos with the help of Gris Garcia, a Studio 94 employee.

By Katie Brown-Greaves and Haley Martinez Staff Writers

“Senioritis” is in full swing as seniors at Long beach State anticipate graduation this semester. There are only a few short months until seniors are free from class and onto the next chapter of their lives.

The grad fair, held at the 49er Shops Bookstore, offers students a wide variety of accessories such as sashes and diploma frames, as well as multiple alumni sales.

“It helps graduates with the whole process, because it can be confusing,” said Esther Lagos Vilboa, a second year industrial design major who works at the bookstore. “I want to graduate, I feel excited to graduate myself.”

There were various booths surrounding the first floor of the bookstore. In one booth, students could get professional graduation pictures taken by signing up at bestgradphoto.com. Caps and gowns were in-

cluded if you took graduation photos and those who signed up had the opportunity to win a candy lei.

Seniors pondered their choices of what sash and diploma frame to get for graduation with excitement and reminiscence in their eyes.

“I’m just excited to graduate and get my first degree,” said Maria Sarmiento, fourth year social work major. “I’m looking forward to my next degree hopefully. I’m going to miss the campus, I love the space.”

Employees and alumni volunteers were there to assist students with any questions they had.

“I feel like the grad fair is pretty straightforward and convenient,” Jessica Priento, fourth year social work major said. “I’m going to miss the food, the breakfast burritos on campus and the diversity.”

Future graduates can also sign up to become alumni members as a way to stay connected to the university. Becoming a member includes: a myBEACH graduation cord, an exclusive alumni licence plate frame and other special student alumni opportunities.

Bob Irwin, president of the Alumni Association,

continues to volunteer on campus after fifteen years.

He attended LBSU in 1964, when he majored in physics and mathematics. He was only here for two years, but had such a great experience he said he will never forget.

“I took an offer I couldn’t refuse at United Airlines in Chicago,” Irwin said. He said he is thankful for his professors and references at LBSU that made that offer possible.

Students even get the opportunity to take free cap and gown photos with no obligation to purchase them through Studio 94 Photography booth.

“It’s been really great, I thought I was ready for it to be over and it’s so surreal and it has finally hit me,” Farrah Llanes, fourth year nursing major said.

“I’m leaving something that I’m comfortable with for something that I’m not comfortable with. I lived in the dorms for four years with my friends, I’m going to miss it.”

Grad fair will take place in the 49er Shops Bookstore through Thursday from 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.

OPINIONS 9

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LBSU students try to stay dry during the rain using thick jackets, rain boots and umbrellas.

Nikki Nelson | Daily 49er

WEATHER

California, water you waiting for?

Students were so busy taking Instagram pictures of the rain, they forgot to conserve.

By Nikki Nelson

Assistant News Editor Nikkikat6

A

ccording to ABC7, California experienced one of its wettest winters in the month of February alone, seeing enough rain to fill approximately 27 Olympic sized swimming pools. We enjoyed the cold weather and took countless Instagram pictures, but we barely conserved any of it.

The amount of rainwater received in the span of a month almost got us out of our lasting drought. Despite this, Californians did nothing to save rainwater, heightening the risk of the state experiencing a recurring drought.

The last drought in California that lasted from 2011 to 2017 led me to hate the water regulations that required you to water your lawns and or gardens at a specific time, although I still support the idea of

not washing your car regularly.

The drought even dried up many natural water sources, such as the Black Star Canyon Falls in Orange County. What a let down.

Students can combat water waste by lessening their time in the shower or turning off the sink when brushing their teeth or washing their hands. Taking the initiative to conserve rainwater in buckets to water your plants and your front yard is also a step in the right direction; these changes may seem minimal, but they cumulatively help in the long run.

Currently, California is in the midst of intense rain spells due to an El Niño year, which is caused by warm waters flowing into the cold Pacific ocean. El Nino typically foreshadows heavier rains, so the amount of rain California has received isn’t surprising.

The heavy rain nearly drowned Long Beach State’s campus, flooding the halls and causing the campus escalators to malfunction on multiple occasions, Senior

Communications Manager James Ahumada said during a classroom Associated Student Incorporated presentation.

While these efforts are appreciated, Associated Student Inc. should do more when we as a campus are still wasting rainwater.

One idea is investing in campus wide rain barrel collection systems or rain catching systems that can combat the amount of water that is wasted on this campus.

In 2017 it was reported that LBSU used approximately 200 million gallons of water a year. As a result, the Water Action Plan, which allowed the university to switch campus plants to drought tolerant ones and initiated waterless or low flow toilets, was implemented.

While LBSU has dabbled with some water conservation initiatives, the state has also been working hard to combat the problem. However, this is a small start; there is still a long way to go until we achieve anything.

In 2012, Assembly bill-1750, the Rainwater Capture Act of 2012, was passed, al-

lowing for the commercial, residential and governmental rain water conservation by using barrel and capture systems. Unfortunately, this has not nearly been enough to save the 18 trillion gallons of water we actually lost so far this year alone.

Gov. Jerry Brown attempted to combat water waste by approving Assembly bill 1668 and Senate bill 606 in May 2018.

AB 1668 requires the state to decrease urban water usage by 20 percent by the year 2020 and SB 606 further defines and provides standards to assist in decreasing urban water usage in the state.

None of this legislation is expected to become effective until at least 2020, which does no good when we need something to happen now.

In order for the state to be progressive and prevent future environmental impacts, we all need to start saving water and conserving our rain water instead of just letting it flow down the drain and into the ocean.

10 SPORTS

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MEN’S VOLLEYBALL

On a cruise to perfection in the Big West

By Bryan Aparicio

Assistant Sports Editor BryanAparicio_

AUSTIN BRUMBLAY | Daily 49er

Freshman Emma Bardet attempts a backhand against Cal Poly March 3. Long Beach is currently 7-1 in the season.

WOMEN’S TENNIS

49ers look to outperform formidable Wildcats Long Beach looks to improve its overall record against Weber State Friday at home.

By Manuel Valladares Staff Writer

Long Beach State women’s tennis looks to tame the Weber State Wildcats (9-4) Friday at home in an 11 a.m. matchup that requires it to build off its previous win against Cal Poly.

Both teams have struggled in its doubles matches, losing its last two doubles points this season. Ideally, LBSU (7-1) needs its freshmen duo of Wiktoria Rutkowska and Dominique Meyer to outperform their previous 7-6 loss.

“We were trying every point,” Rutkowska

said after her doubles loss. “It was hard for us ... but it was game-by-game, point-bypoint so there was few balls [that stopped us from winning].”

The duo cleaning up their mistakes may be the only adjustment the team needs, with the pairing of Natalia Munoz and Lalita Devarakonda having been successful in Long Beach’s previous games.

More importantly, the 49ers must replicate the success they had in their singles sweep against Cal Poly.

One person to look out for the 49ers is sophomore Carlota Casasampere, who competed in her first match this season and won.

“She was strong and consistent,” head coach Jenny Hilt-Costello said. “It wasn’t her best tennis but it was hard to get a

rhythm.”

Casasampere is currently projected to face Lloyd McKenna, a player who has gotten substantially more playing time, winning two of her last four games.

Although she may not have the same experience, the best way for her to win is by keeping up with the tempo of the match.

She may also need to model her singles performance after Devarakonda’s, who faced the same expectations when she was inserted into lineup, being slated at the sixth slot.

Devarakonda now has a 5-0 record, and was recently promoted to the fifth spot on the lineup against Cal Poly.

Following its game against Weber State, Long Beach has an 11 a.m. Saturday matchup against Cal State Fullerton.

It’s been a smooth ride for the Long Beach State men’s volleyball team so far this season. On the court, the most adversity the team has faced is a set dropped to USC in what seems like an eternity ago during Long Beach’s home opener.

Long Beach is back in action this weekend against No. 8 Stanford and unranked Saint Francis. The Cardinals are top five in the nation in hitting percentage at .327.

No. 1 Long Beach has been as sharp as can be posting a .439 hitting percentage on the season, good for second in the nation, but it’s been the defense that has helped take Long Beach to a different level. After the 49ers’ last outing, they held then No. 11 CSUN to a .167 attacking percentage and will likely ride this trend during the two-game home stand.

“You want to find ways to benefit from your serving as much as you possibly can,” head coach Alan Knipe said.

“Blocking is the first one … you’re looking for a lot of out of system passing so you can have your block reward you and that comes hand in hand with the floor defense behind it.”

Stanford is only behind powerhouses Long Beach and Hawai’i, and will try to keep its hitting percentage around the same average with help from junior setter Paul Bischoff. Bischoff is number four in the nation, averaging 10.53 assists per set right behind Long Beach senior setter Josh Tuaniga who averages 10.60.

The 49ers’ offense has found their groove and are firing on all cylinders.

Led by their seniors, Long Beach features three of the top 20 players in the nation in hitting percentage in outside hitters TJ DeFalco, Louis Richard and opposite Kyle Ensing.

Long Beach will take on Stanford 7 p.m. Friday at the Walter Pyramid in the first night of a back-to-back.

SPORTS 11

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MEN’S BASKETBALL

Master at the line Senior guard Deishuan Booker sets the bar when it comes to free-throw shooting in the NCAA.

By Alex Manfredi

Deputy Sports Editor alexmanfr3di

AUSTIN BRUMBLAY | Daily 49er Senior guard Deishuan Booker goes up for a contested layup Wednesday against Riverside in his final game at the Walter Pyramid.

“Watch the flop, watch the flop!” UC Santa Barbara coaches yell as Deishuan Booker handles the ball, reminding referees to watch Booker as he drives to the basket and pulls up for jump shots.

The coaches yelling made no difference as Booker scored 12 of his 25 total points from the free throw line. A night like this is regular for the Long Beach State senior point guard: words hurled from the opponent’s bench, fouls drawn by Booker and made free throws. The Gauchos fell victim to the Booker special — a clinic of paint touches and jumpers that drive defenses crazy as he displays the ability to draw contact and get to the line at a historic clip.

Nobody in all of NCAA Division I basketball has mastered the art as well as Booker, who leads the country in free throws made (238) attempting (261), while shooting them at 91 percent. Booker averages 7.5 free throws per game on the season and 10 in Big West conference play. This year, he broke the Big West record for most free throws made in a season, passing Leon Wood’s record of 211 in 1984. He is one of the toughest matchups any opponent has seen all season — but he hasn’t always been the best free throw shooter.

Growing up and playing AAU basketball in Las Vegas, Booker’s dad would occasionally call him “Shaq” because he would miss the front end of a one-and-one or simply miss one out of two free throws after getting fouled. He became more consistent at the line after making it a focus. In high school, it got to a point where Booker would draw so many fouls he was told to simply play through it.

“He was always told by the refs to play through the fouls being his skill set was better than his competition,” Booker’s mother, Yolanda Smith said. “This helped him not only get fouled, yet complete many and-one plays. Toward the end of his high school career, he was only allowed to play three quarters and was made to sit the fourth or just not score.”

When Booker went to junior college, he struggled once again. He shot a combined 76 percent in his two years at Gillette College and the College of Southern Idaho, not ideal for any player that doesn’t play center or forward.

“I felt as a point guard I can’t shoot 70 percent from the line,” Booker said. “That’s almost 60 percent, so I just wanted to get better. I would just shoot tons and tons of free throws.”

Despite shooting 85 percent last year in his first season at Long Beach, Booker still

knew he could improve. He spent countless hours in the Pyramid and the Gold Mine over summer working on his craft. After shooting drills, he would end the workout with 15 free throws. According to associate head coach Myke Scholl, Booker told coaches he would get his percentage up over 90 percent this season. So far, he’s accomplished that and even exceeded expectations from the line.

“I didn’t know he’d be at this level,” Scholl said. “I’d be lying if I said I thought he’d lead the country in free throws attempted and made. But we definitely knew he had the ability.”

Besides his ability to draw fouls and hit free throws, Booker has a knack for contorting his body in all sorts of ways in order to make contested layups.

“He’s the best layup shooter I’ve ever coached, he’s like Tony Parker,” Scholl said.

“If he can get an angle on the backboard, he can make the layup.”

After leading scorer Gabe Levin graduated last season, Long Beach needed Booker to step up as a primary scorer for the 49ers.

From free throws to what Scholl says is “more four-point plays here than I think anybody I’ve had in five years combined,” the Las Vegas native stepped up to the challenge. After averaging 10.6 points and 4.6 assists per game last season, Booker has raised that to 18.8 points and 4.5 assists this year.

“He played a lot more like Lonzo Ball, we needed him to be a lot more aggressive,” Scholl said. “This year, with Gabe [Levin] leaving he really saw that he needed to step up offensively.”

While Booker has made the most notable improvement from the free throw line, he’s also gotten better at reading defenses and dealing with “hedges” and “blitzes” while using ball screens on offense. Bigger defenders have stopped switching onto him because he is one of the hardest guards to contain in the conference.

As he gets around the edge of defenders who hedge or blitz screens, Booker draws contact from players, using their hips to try and stay in front of him. This is what separates him from getting more foul calls than players who only draw fouls on drives to the basket.

“I don’t like getting fouled, obviously,” Booker said. “But if I’m going to the basket and I’m not really getting a lot of calls or clean looks then I would for sure try to get us a look at the line so we get something on the board.”

It takes more than just being a solid free-throw shooter to have the most makes and attempts in the nation. It’s an art, and Booker has found a way to channel his inner Picasso during his time at Long Beach.

“I am very proud that he never leaves free money on the table,” Smith said. “He spends countless hours perfecting his craft.”

12 SPORTS

THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2019 | DAILY49ER.COM | SPORTSD49ER@GMAIL.COM

AUSTIN BRUMBLAY | Daily 49er Senior forward Mason Riggins powers up for a lay up Wednesday against Riverside at the Walter Pyramid. The 49ers defeated the Highlanders 70-57 in their final game of the season.

MEN’S BASKETBALL

Long Beach finishes on a high note The 49ers winning streak hits five as seniors go out with a win.

By Alex Manfredi

Deputy Sports Editor alexmanfr3di

C

elebrations began early and remained constant in the Walter Pyramid as the Long Beach State men’s basketball team honored five seniors in its last home game of the season in a 70-57 win over UC Riverside Wednesday night.

The seniors: Deishuan Booker, Temidayo Yussuf, Mason Riggins, Bryan Alberts and Breamon Richard were all in the starting lineup. Sophomore guard Edon Maxhuni stole the senior night show in the second half, hitting four three pointers on his way to 21 points. Booker remained consistent with his high scoring

in Big West play, adding 21 points, four rebounds and four assists.

“I love them,” head coach Dan Monson said. “I’ve got a senior in high school that’s going to be leaving the house, I’m dreading that [the same way] I’m dreading these guys leaving. These guys are ready to go out into the world and I think they are better men than they were, I’m gonna miss them.”

Booker was taken out of the game with just over two minutes left, receiving a hug from Monson and loud cheers from the crowd. With 1:40, Alberts, Riggins and Yussuf were taken out to a standing ovation as well.

“For it to be our last home game as players at Long Beach State, it means everything to go out with a win,” Yussuf said.

Long Beach got off to a slow start in the first half, allowing Riverside to jump out

to a 8-0 lead. The 49ers quickly came back after interior buckets from Riggins and Yussuf. Long Beach struggled from the free throw line, shooting 3-for-8. Booker led all scorers at the break with 11 points.

Maxhuni hit a mid-range jump shot as time expired before the half, giving Long Beach a 30-25 lead.

Long Beach came out slow in the second half as well. Riverside came out of the break with a hot hand, hitting three three pointers in the first 2:45 of the half. With nine minutes remaining, the 49ers began to find a rhythm offensively that would prove to be the difference in the game.

Booker and Maxhuni traded buckets and seemingly took the life out of the Highlanders with a combined six three pointers in the half. Long Beach capitalized off of 15 Riverside turnovers, scoring 16 points as a result.

As a team, the 49ers shot 49 percent on field goals, 50 percent from three point land and had 31 bench points.

“We’re better than how we played at the beginning of league so our confidence is high right now,” Yussuf said. “We know that we can pretty much beat every team.”

Next up for Long Beach is the Big West Conference tournament beginning March 14. The time and opponent are to be determined. to help this team and that’s no matter if I’m coming off the bench or starting,” Holdaway said. “I’m just doing whatever I can at this point to help the team.”

With Big West play coming up, the freshmen realize their playing time may take a significant dip, but they are prepared to do whatever they can to get the job done and end their first season as a 49er with a national championship.