ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY A WIFE AND CHILD HAVE HELPED COC'S BRYSON MATURE FROM HIS TROUBLED PAST.

Byline: IVAN OROZCO Staff Writer

SANTA CLARITA - Everett Bryson's life changed with a visit to the convenience store.

The College of the Canyons men's basketball forward had already dropped out of Canyon High, spent three years partying and developed a reputation for often ignoring responsibility when he was arrested for getting into a fight with a store clerk.

Bryson, 26, was charged with battery June 20, 2001, and served a week's sentence behind bars at the Twin Towers Correctional facility in downtown Los Angeles. He was also ordered to complete 80 hours of community service upon his release.

``I was with a friend, and we went in for hot dogs, and they (the hot dogs) looked old,'' Bryson said. ``We brought it to (the clerk's) attention. He kind of ignored us, so we put the hot dogs back in the glass. That's when he made a smart comment. I laughed it off, we exchanged words and I walked out.

``He came out, threw a hot dog at me and began cursing at me. That gave me the green light. The next thing I know, I turn around and I'm putting him back into the doors of the place.''

Bryson's troubles didn't end there. He failed to complete the ordered community service and the court issued a warrant for his arrest in 2003. Bryson served three days of a 30-day sentence before being released.

``I thought a whole lot about how it all started and ended,'' Bryson said. ``So much happened so quickly. I didn't know how I was going to deal with my parents' disappointment and myself.''

Earlene Bryson, the 6-foot-5, 213-pound forward's mother, told her son his jailing was his wake up call and a reprimand for drifting away from his Christian faith.

His father, Everett Bryson, agrees.

``When they put shackles on my son, I cried,'' the elder Bryson said. ``I said, `Lord, we're better than this,' but the whole time the Lord was preparing my son to do better, I just didn't see it.''

The younger Bryson knew it was time for a change after finding out his longtime girlfriend, Christina Czerniak, whom he married last March, was pregnant with his now 2-year-old son, Everett Jadyn Bryson. Now a father, Bryson enrolled at COC on three different occasions but dropped out each time.

The power forward earned All-Western State Conference first team honors during the Cougars' 2002-03 season before becoming academically ineligible the next year.

With his grades improving, he gave basketball another shot in 2004-05, but the responsibility of caring for a wife and child, combined with tendinitis in both of his knees, kept him out of the game.

``I thought basketball was done for me,'' Bryson said. ``I was at work one day, and I don't know, I just decided to give the game another try. That's why I came out his season.''

Cougars head coach Howard Fisher didn't like the idea. It took Bryson's persistent calling and visits to persuade Fisher. The Cougars' seventh- year coach successfully petitioned the California Commission on Athletics to have Bryson's sophomore season reinstated on a medical redshirt.

``I brushed him off,'' Fisher said. ``I didn't entirely close the door, but I did not welcome him back with open arms. We butted heads a little bit in his first go-around, and I didn't know how serious he was and what his attitude was. I gave him the opportunity.

``He's matured. He's more responsible and understands this is his last go-around and is trying to make the best of it. He's grown off the court and on the court. On the court he's become more of a leader.''

Bryson, who leads the Cougars (14-5) in rebounds (114), blocked shots (17) and free throws (64), has earned the respect of his teammates.

Last week, he led COC to the final of the Cougars Holiday Classic tournament, where it lost to Antelope Valley. The Cougars will open conference play at 5:30 p.m. Saturday when they play host to Glendale College.

``He's vocal, steps up, tells me things I should do,'' said Jacob Briggs, the Cougars' other starting forward. ``He's real mature. He's complemented my game in a way that we can do so many different things in the post.

``It's a blessing just to have him there, it's nice. It's a good presence inside. You know you can get the ball inside and make plays.''

Bryson's play has drawn the attention of several universities such as Sonoma State, The Master's College and Point Loma Nazarene in San Diego.

``I didn't like his attitude,'' Fisher said. ``Ithink it's right to give people another opportunity. Basketball will allow him to pursue his education and be able to be successful in life.''

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College of the Canyons forward Everett Bryson leads the team in rebounds, blocked shots and free throws. He earned All-Western State Conference first team honors in 2002-03.