The Preps / Pat Cannon : Who Knows How Good Southern Section Really Is?

OK, Southern Section, pat yourself on the back. You finally came up with a format that allowed Mater Dei to end its season with a win.

But what about the rest of the state? Doesn’t it deserve to see Tom Lewis and Mike Mitchell strut their stuff against Crenshaw, Poway or Glendale?

And what about the Compton and Foothill girls? Or Santa Clara’s fine boys’ team? Based on Saturday night’s Southern California regional playoffs at the Sports Arena, all three Section Section teams might have advanced to the State finals this weekend in Oakland.

So, while Crenshaw is up in Oakland taking care of business, why don’t you think about bringing your ball back to the real playground. Then you can brag about how good you are--after you win on the court, not when you set it up so you can’t lose.

However, I also see the point in not competing. It’s a tremendous relief to know that spring sports are finally going full bore.

Congratulations to Mater Dei for winning the championship of Orange County, also known as the 5-A Division. If the Southern Section can come up with some more A’s, maybe McDonald’s will give them free cheeseburgers.

Glendale Coach Steve Keith tried to set up a game against Mater Dei last Dec. 1, but Mater Dei had a scheduling conflict and couldn’t play last Dec. 1.

Said Mater Dei Coach Gary McKnight: “If he’s (Keith) trying to figure out who’s No. 1 and who’s No. 2, why didn’t he get into the Tournament of Champions? Maybe it’s too big for him.”

McKnight was asked if he regretted not having an opportunity to play City champion Crenshaw, the top-ranked team in the State.

“Crenshaw had a chance to play us in the Tournament of Champions and they backed out,” he said. “They had another chance to play us in the Glendale Tournament and they backed out. So, that’s a bunch of crap.”

To set the record straight, The Tournament of Champions is by invitation only. Neither Glendale, nor Crenshaw was invited.

In addition, Glendale beat Mater Dei during the summer.

Forget Star Wars, Crenshaw’s press may be the ultimate weapon.

The Cougars, ranked No. 1 in the State, will play Logan of Union City for the State championship Saturday night.

What about Mater Dei-Crenshaw?

Mater Dei’s Tom Lewis and Mike Mitchell might hold their own for a half, but the Shaw’s human hang gliders--Paul Weakley, Dion Brown, Stephen Thompson and Stanley Brundy--would eventually wear the Monarchs down.

In fact, Glendale might have had a slightly better chance against Crenshaw because guard Rich Grande might have been able to work through Crenshaw’s devastating press.

Earlier this season, Grande seemed just perfect for Coach Stan Morrison and the University of Slowdown and Caution. But if Grande can find an extra step of quickness, he’s going to be an outstanding college basketball player.

Condolences to Mike Moore of Dominguez, who broke his ankle in a semifinal game last week. The 6-6 forward didn’t play in the 4-A title game, won by Glendale, 52-49.

When is Mater Dei assistant coach Pat Barrett going to end the suspense and sign with a university so we can stop worrying about Tom Lewis’ future?

Add Lewis: An unimpeachable source informs that Lewis will sign with Nevada Las Vegas. This tip is so good that the odds are 1-5.

Cannon’s Top 10: 1. Crenshaw; 2. Mater Dei; 3. Glendale; 4. Dominguez; 5. Poway; 6. Manual Arts; 7. Banning; 8. Lynwood; 9. Santa Clara; 10. tie, Fairfax and Ocean View.

Top 10 players: Crenshaw’s Thompson and Brundy, Mater Dei’s Lewis and Mitchell, Fairfax’s Sean Higgins, Glendale’s Grande, Poway’s John Colborne, Cleveland’s Trevor Wilson, Santa Clara’s Stacey Cvijanovich and Ocean View’s Ricky Butler.

Prep Notes Roundball Ruminations: Nevada Las Vegas assistant coach Jerry Busone states unequivocally that Point Loma sophomore Terri Mann is the best girls basketball player in California. Her nickname is Baby Moses. . . . Southern Section 2-A boys’ champ, Santa Clara, with talented guard Stacey Cvijanovich, would have blitzed Washington Union’s boys, a 50-32 winner over Oceanside in the SoCal regional tournament. . . . Keep an eye on Compton sophomore Mandy Hannah. She pulled down 10 rebounds in the Lady Babes’ 50-42 victory over Muir in the 4-A title game. Along with center Kim Thompson, who grabbed 15 rebounds, she neutralized the 20-rebound effort of Muir’s Pauline Jordan. . . . The weekend’s best coaching job was done by Sheila Adams of Foothill, whose game plan totally befuddled Brea-Olinda, ranked No. 1 in the 3-A girls’ division. . . . Best cheerleading routines--La Quinta.. . . Biggest shot--Courtney Bourn of San Luis Obispo, whose 18-foot jumper proved to be the difference in a 47-45 victory over La Quinta. Two minutes earlier, she had shot an air ball from the same spot. . . . Attention Ripley’s: Washington Union has two sets of twins, both from the same family. Seniors Jarvis and Jervis Cole anchor the boys’ team, and freshmen Lasonia and Latonia Cole play for the Lady Panthers, who were beaten by El Camino of Oceanside in the Southern California Regional final. . . . Did anyone notice that the program for the Southern Section basketball final featured a picture of a volleyball court? . . . In case no one noticed, Manual Arts’ Reggie Morris did the kind of job that sometimes merits a coach-of-the-year award.

Some of the area’s finest track athletes will be on display in the Northridge Relays at Cal State Los Angeles Saturday, including Hawthorne’s Henry Thomas, the defending state 100- and 200-meter champion. Thomas, along with several other outstanding Hawthorne athletes, is coming off a 10-day suspension. Coach Kye Courtney did not reveal the reasons for the suspension but indicated the problem had been resolved.