WARRIORS NOTEBOOK
Injured LaBoy likely will miss USC game

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

University of Hawai'i coach June Jones yesterday said he expects his top pass rusher, Travis LaBoy, to miss Saturday's road game against Southern California.

"It looks like he's out," Jones said of LaBoy, who aggravated a pelvic injury Monday.

Vantz Singletary, who coaches the defensive linemen, said: "Unless some miracle happens and everything comes together, it looks like he'll be sitting out."

LaBoy, a fifth-year senior, has 12 sacks in 22 UH games.

"He's a difference maker," Singletary said. "He certainly will be missed."

For nearly a year, LaBoy has suffered from osteitis pubis, a stress injury to the pubic bone in front of his pelvis. The ailment makes it difficult to run.

Dr. Andrew Nichols, the team physician, said such an injury usually is found in "athletes involved in sprinting and cutting activities, especially in athletes who have a lot of burst energy."

Nichols said the condition can be treated with "anti-inflammatory medicine, rest, rehabilitation, icing. You also can inject some cortisone into the area."

If LaBoy cannot play, Kevin Jackson and Houston Ala will open at the defensive ends, and Melila Purcell becomes the top backup at right end.

Purcell was a multi-sport athlete in American Samoa. He was enrolled at UH but did not play last year because his eligibility was not approved by the NCAA Clearinghouse.

"Mel is doing well," Singletary said. "He's going to make mistakes, but the thing about Mel is he makes them at full speed. He's a hard worker. He listens and is very coachable."

Health report: UH's self-reported medical crisis is over as receivers Jeremiah Cockheran and Chad Owens returned to practice.

Cockheran, the starting right wideout and offensive captain, practiced yesterday after missing two workouts because of a strained right knee.

"I feel a little better," he said. "That's why I ran out there."

Cockheran practiced without a knee brace. Jones said Cockheran's right knee "tightened up at the end," forcing him to sit out the final 10 plays of seven-on-seven drills, "but he's doing a little better."

Cockheran said: "I'm tough. I think I'll be all right. I'll be fine."

Owens, the starting left slotback, also practiced after recovering from an infected left ankle. "It took me a while to get warmed up, but once I got warmed up, it felt pretty good," Owens said.

Jones said he expects Cockheran and Owens to play against USC, but "I don't know if they'll start or not. We'll see how it is."

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8051