Prep Letters of Intent : Lewis’ Delay, Early Signings Erase Suspense

Wednesday marked the start of another signing period for high school senior basketball players intent on moving their talents into college, but the biggest news involved players who didn’t sign.

Since most of the top stars had signed in November, during the early signing week, there were few big names left, and the biggest, 5-A Player of the Year Tom Lewis of Mater Dei, remains unsigned.

The most heavily recruited player in the West said he is going to wait until next week. He apparently has narrowed his choices to Nevada Las Vegas and Syracuse, but considering the intensity of the schools bidding for him, anything can happen.

Many of the top girls followed the same pattern. Cherie Nelson of Marshall Fundamental, who led the Southern Section in scoring with a 32.7 average, said she will wait until next week before deciding.

Sharon Turner, who had a 33-point average for El Camino of Oceanside, also did not sign and is said to be considering Cal State Long Beach, South Alabama and UNLV.

Heidi Bunek of Milwaukee Pius XI, perhaps the most recruited girl of all, did not sign. Bunek, a 6-4 center who averaged 24 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 blocked shots a game, is one of USC’s top recruits. Pius won four Wisconsin private school titles during Bunek’s career.

One who didn’t delay her signing was Kim Thompson of Compton, 4-A Player of the Year. She signed with California. Thompson, a 6-foot senior, led her team to the 4-A title.

Also signing were 6-7 forward Marco Fleming and 6-8 center Anthony Martin, who led Manual Arts to the City 4-A boys’ championship game before losing to eventual state champion Crenshaw.

Fleming, who averaged 17 points and 10 rebounds a game for Manual Arts, will play for Wyoming.

Martin, who averaged 12 points and six rebounds a game, chose Oklahoma. Center Erik Rogers of Temple City will play for Syracuse. Rogers, 6-11, scored 22 points a game for the Rams.

Greg Trygstad, 6-8 center who led Bonita to the 3-A final before losing to Morningside, will attend UC Santa Barbara. Kevin Kurz of Schurr, 3-A Player of the Year, said he is considering UC Irvine and Cal State Fullerton.

USC and UCLA signed most of their top recruits in November, although both are still looking to sign more players.

USC signed 4-A Player of the Year Rich Grande of Glendale in November, along with Jeff Connelly of Harbor High in Santa Cruz, and Mike Canada of Millard High in Omaha, Neb.

The Trojans are still in the running for Marco Baldi of Long Island Lutheran in New York and formerly of Woodbridge High in Irvine. Baldi is a 6-11 center who averaged 18 points and 12 rebounds. According to Tim Tessalone, USC sports information director, the Trojans are among the two or three schools Baldi is still considering.

USC is also after Alex Austin of Gridley, Northern California Player of the Year. He is a 6-5 wingman who averaged 30 points and 16 rebounds a game. Two players from Philadelphia Dobbins Tech, forward Eric (Hank) Gathers and guard Greg Kimble, are still considering USC, Tessalone said.

UCLA signed Pooh Richardson, one of the nation’s top point guards, in November, along with Rod Palmer of Dominguez High.

The Bruins announced only one signing Wednesday--6-8 forward Carl Pitts of Trade Tech junior college, who averaged 23 points and 14 rebounds a game. He will play forward and center for UCLA next year.

Wednesday was also the first day top prep track athletes could sign with colleges, and both UCLA and USC fared well.

Two of the top local stars--sprinter Henry Thomas of Hawthorne and record discus thrower Brian Blutreich of Capistrano Valley--have long been verbally committed to UCLA.

The Bruins added a third top track athlete when sprinter Chewaukii (Choo Choo) Knighten of Locke chose UCLA over USC.

“That was my only two (under consideration),” Knighten said. “I like the big environment (of UCLA).” Knighten’s 52.32 seconds in the 400 was the best women’s mark in that event in 1984.

The Trojans were able to win the recruiting battle for Leslie Maxie of Mills High of Millbrae, Calif.