Vanguard signs three

Brian Bergeson, a 6-foot-6 swing man out of Johansen High in Modesto is among three recruits added by the Vangaurd University men’s basetball program, the school announced Monday.

Bergeson, whose father Ted played at then-Southern California College and was the school’s Athlete of the Year in 1976-77, averaged approximately 17 points and six rebounds last season on his way to earning first-team All-Modesto Metro Conference honors for the second straight campaign.

Nik Bradford, a 6-8 forward out of Woodcrest Christian High in Riverside, and Joey Parker, a 5-6 point guard who helped Clovis West High reach the CIF State Division I title game last season, have also signed to continue at Vanguard, which posted its first 20-win season in nine seasons last year on its way to the NAIA Tournament.

Bradford averaged 12.9 points and 10.2 rebounds to help Woodcrest Christian win the Big Sky League and finish 22-6. A co-captain last season for the Royals, he was twice named all-league and earned the team’s coaches award as a senior.

Parker will try to help fill the void left by the departure of NAIA All-American and Golden State Athletic Conference Player of the Year Horace Wormely, who completed his collegiate career last season.

Parker received the Mr. Hustle award three times during his prep career and was recognized as the team’s top defender as a senior.

“Joey is just what we have been looking for in a point guard,” Vanguard Coach Fred Litzenberger said in a statement.

Litzenberger, the associate head coach last season who took the helm when Bob Wilson resigned to concentrate on his duties as athletic director, also had praise for Bergeson and Bradford.

“[Bergeson’s] father was a very good player at Vanguard and we are looking for Brian to do the same,” Litzenberger said. “He can score from inside and outside and has the ability to put the ball on the floor and create for himself or his teammates.”

Litzenberger said of Bradford: “Nik can play both inside positions, has the ability to score, and will be a great rebounder for us.”dpt-vumensign25.IMGGraphicInfo9D1T91N5200607259D1T91N5Caption: No Caption