SAN DIEGO COLLEGE NOTEBOOK / DAVE McKIBBEN : Morse Grad Kennedy Anchors the Huskies

By DAVE McKIBBEN

Jan. 1, 1992 12 AM PT

Lincoln Kennedy says he misses San Diego occasionally, particularly on rainy Seattle days, but like many a Californian who has moved to Washington state, he can do without the problems increasing population has caused in the tarnished Golden State.

“Aside from my family, I don’t think I would visit there too often,” the former Morse High standout said after a rain-drenched practice Sunday at Rams Park in Anaheim where he and his Washington teammates drilled for today’s 78th Rose Bowl. “It’s a beautiful place, but it’s getting too crowded for me.”

An offensive tackle, Kennedy was named a third-team All-American by the Associated Press, a first-team All-Pacific 10 Conference selection and winner of the Morris Trophy as the conference’s top lineman. He has anchored an offensive line that powered the second-ranked Huskies (11-0) to an average of just under 42 points per game, second best in the nation, and allowed only six quarterback sacks.

“He’s had a great year,” offensive line coach Keith Gilbertson said of the 6-7, 325-pound junior. “I’m excited that he’s going to stay another year and complete his collegiate eligibility. He’s quick, smart, tough, rather large and a good learner.”

Unlike the stereotypical myopic college athlete, Kennedy has developed interests away from the field and weight room. A drama major, Kennedy appeared in his first play earlier this year, portraying a Salvation Army worker. Kennedy sees similarities between his two pursuits.

“Fine arts are pretty disciplined and football also disciplines you to discipline yourself,” Kennedy said. “More or less, you come out on the field and beat up on each other, and on the stage you take the role of a person more or less. I do the same thing on the football field. When I put on the helmet, I’m a different person toward the opposition.”

Standing tall: While most University of San Diego Toreras had stars in their eyes Saturday night at second-ranked Stanford, forward Jill Shaver didn’t appear intimidated at all.

She scored a career-high 24 points and grabbed five rebounds in the Stanford’s 103-68 drubbing of the Toreras.

“If she hadn’t been there in the first half, we might not have scored a point,” said USD Coach Kathy Marpe. “She has good one-on-one skills and she was able to take advantage of the way they were playing her. She’s not intimidated by anyone.

Shaver, a 6-foot sophomore from Albuquerque, has been one of the few bright spots on the Toreras (3-6). She is averaging a team-high 16.6 points (on 52% shooting) and six rebounds before Monday’s game.

Sign these guys up: Entering the Texaco Star Classic on Dec. 20, San Diego State had made 11 of 52 three-pointers (21.2%). Wonder if the Aztecs were jealous watching James Finn and Derrick Shirland shred the nets at halftime during the fifth Above the Rim Naval Shootout?

Finn and Shirland from the USS Coronado sank 36 three-pointers in the two minutes each participant was allowed to shoot. Finn and Shirland’s 36 three-pointers was the most ever recorded in the event’s history.

Shirland made 21 three-pointers, including nine in a row, and Finn connected on 15.

Finn and Shirland defeated Byron Sanders and Corey Stewert from the USS Denver to win the consolation championship.

In the finals, Darret Johnson and Tony Koone of USS Cleveland beat Darvin Dotson and Johnny Bailey of the USS Tripoli, 31-25.

The best ever?: Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain are generally regarded as the best rebounders in the history of the NBA. But if you read David Hereen’s 1991-92 edition of Basketball Abstract, you will find that Swen Nater, an 11-year journeyman center who played with the San Diego Clippers, is the most efficient rebounder ever.

Hereen’s formula for rebounding efficiency is based on an a player’s rebounding totals compared with available rebounds during the minutes they were on the court.

Charles Oakley, a forward for the New York Knicks, is second to Nater, now the basketball coach at Christian Heritage College. Milwaukee Bucks center Moses Malone is third and Tom Boerwinkle, who played for the Chicago Bulls in the 1960’s and 70’s, is fourth.

Chamberlain is ranked seventh and Russell is 10th.

Times staff writer Steven Herbert contributed to this story.