News Observer/ February 15, 2023
By Earl Heath | Contributing Sports Writer
When thinking of the top colligate women’s hoop teams in Southern California Cal you may think UCLA (20-6) or USC (18-6) (at press time) first. They both are having good seasons and likely headed for post-season play.
But when you span the area you’ll find a less talked about Cal State Dominguez Hills team that started the season with a school record 19 straight wins. At press time they are 23-1, 11-1 in the CCAA (California Collegiate Athletic Association). The team has quietly been a regular in the NCAA Division II top 10 all year.
They haven’t grabbed major headlines in print nor on broadcast.
They are led by Bakersfield native John Bonner who is an Alum of West High. After graduation he and classmate Bryson Sumlin headed to Fresno State.
Sumlin played football as a DB and RB for the Bulldogs then landed with the then San Diego Chargers. Bonner would earn a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in counseling – marriage & family therapy both at FSU. He was team manager for the women’s basketball team.
Under Bonner this year’s team has raced out to a 23-1 record 11-1 CCAA (at press time). At some points during the season the team has literally run teams out the gym. They have nine wins by 10-points or more. “ We have an up tempo style,” said Bonner. “We want to play fast and have fun.” Cup that with six victories by 20-points or greater including a 100-58 win over Western Oregon on December 16th.
He has the players that love his running system. Several played prep and at other colleges locally.
Asia Jordan is from Lakewood High. The six-foot sophomore led the TOROS with 23 points and 9 rebounds in a 82-65 win over Cal state San Bernardino that restarted the next streak after a 19-game streak ended. She has had season high 26 point 11 rebounds vs CUI in a 81-66 win last week.
Dawnyel Lair is a the former Fairfax High stand-out who is averaging 16 points and 8 rebounds a game for the Toros She’s been a team leader and has added another piece of history into the record books. The senior guard becomes the first Toro to repeat as CCAA Player of the Week and win the award several times in a season. She now joins Toro great Breanne Garcia as a three-time conference player of the week.
“Returning this year we knew she was a good leader and played solid defense but her scoring was an added bonus that helped the team,” said Bonner.
Deejanee Poland is a graduate from Animo Jackie Robinson School in LA where she led the team to the Ocean City Conference title.
Nala Williams a freshman from Long Beach Poly also had a season high 22 points vs Cal Poly Pamona.
It appears everyone has stepped up in different ways to help the team this season.
Bonner spent time working with the Fresno State women’s basketball team. Part of his duties as a grad student to assist with skill development and other aspects of the program. He coached and helped develop two All-Americans.
He had other duties on the team and that’s where he met his current assistant Coach, Jaleesa Ross. She starred for the Lady Bulldogs throughout her career and left the program as the All-Time leading scorer in school history with 2002 points, Also was a third all-time three-point shooter in the nation, a Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) All-America Honorable Mention nod, a WBCA All-Region First Team honor, three All-Western Athletic Conference (WAC) First Team honors, back-to-back WAC MVP honors and a WAC Newcomer of the Year accolade.
“She’s such a great coach she works with the players really well,” said Bonner. “We would not be in the position in the position today without her. She has the attention and respect of all the players.”
As an assistant coach the team hovered just over .500.Things changed when he and Ross recruited their own players and implemented a diverse culture and one that prepared players for life after basketball in a “family” environment.
CSUDH is one of the most diverse schools in the Cal State system.
The most common degree at CSUDH is General Business Administration and Management (576 awarded followed by General Psychology (499) and Sociology (246).
“We created our own culture around the team,” added Bonner. “There are several conversations on how to prepare them for life and what we can after basketball to help them out.”
As time moves on there’s one thing Bonner added that is so true: “The balls going to stop bouncing someday.”
