Wright Signs, But Turner Doesn’t

Howard Wright of Patrick Henry High School, The Times boys’ basketball Player of the Year, Wednesday was prepared for the first day to sign a national letter of intent. He had announced his his decision to attend Stanford University two months ago.

Sharon Turner of El Camino, the girls’ Player of the Year, started the day equally as prepared, but not as decisive.

As expected, Wright signed with Stanford, but the best Turner could do was narrow her choices to three schools--Cal State Long Beach, Nevada Las Vegas and the University of South Alabama at Mobile, Ala.

Turner, a 5-foot 9-inch guard who averaged 33.9 points this season and is San Diego County’s all-time leading scorer, said she plans to make a decision by next week.

“I really liked South Alabama, but it might be too far from home,” Turner said. “I liked Long Beach too, but that might be too close to home. And I don’t know if I could live in Las Vegas. Each have their good and bad points. I’ll have to decide which bad points I can put up with.”

Wright, a 6-8 center/forward who averaged 20.2 points and 11 rebounds for the Patriots this season, is looking forward to playing for the Cardinal.

“Their combination of athletics and academics is the best in the nation,” Wright said. “Regardless of how I do in basketball, the diploma, which I plan to get, will say a lot. I’m not expecting or expected to do anything in basketball next season. I’m not in any big hurry.”

In other San Diego developments:

--All-County forward Sam Aguirre of Hoover signed to play football and basketball for Occidental College at Los Angeles. Aguirre, who will have nine varsity letters at the completion of the current baseball season, averaged 20.2 points this season for the Cardinals.

“We were impressed with what they had to offer athletically and academically,” said Harold Mitrovich, Hoover coach. “I think the keys were the general proximity, the good education opportunities and a good sports program at a level he can compete and have the opportunity to play both football and basketball.”

--Monte Vista’s All-County center Demetrius Laffitte said he expects to sign a letter of intent with Cal State Long Beach today. Laffitte, who averaged 17.9 points and 12 rebounds, said he picked Long Beach because of its program in architecture.

“They have a good basketball program that’s rebuilding,” Laffitte said. “They said I should be starting by my sophomore year.”

--Patrick Henry forward Darryl Gaines accepted a scholarship to play for his father Smokey Gaines at San Diego State University.

--Girls’ All-County forward Julie Evans of Hilltop signed to play at the University of San Diego. Evans, who averaged 22.1 points this season, also is an All-CIF shortstop in softball and has the option to continue her softball career at USD.

--El Camino girls’ forward Sheri Williamson will be a nonscholarship player at UC Davis next season.