Orange County Player of the Week : Fryer Makes His Points as Role Player

On a team of role players, Corona del Mar High School senior Jeff Fryer is cast as the scorer.

This season, Fryer has played the role well as he is Orange County’s leading scorer.

“It’s obvious he’s going to score,” said Jack Errion, Sea King coach. “So, it’s his role on the team.”

Fryer, who averaged 24 points a game as a junior, has led the county most of the season, averaging 28.4 points a game for the Sea View League champions.

“It’s not that big of a deal,” Fryer said. “I don’t even feel that much pressure because it’s my role on the team. Coach expects it. The only time there’s pressure is if I’m not hitting my shots.”

Last Friday, against El Modena, he scored 41 points, half his team’s total, as the Sea Kings won their first-round CIF Southern Section 4-A game, 82-62.

Bill Ervin, El Modena coach, is among a long list of coaches who have been frustrated by Fryer, a 6-foot 2-inch forward.

“We kept trying to make adjustments, but he kept making adjustments after we did,” Ervin said. “We tried man-to-man, and we tried to overplay him. He’s the best outside shooter we’ve run into this season.”

One of the few times a defense has been able to contain Fryer, The Times player of the week, was when he scored a season-low 17 points in the Sea Kings’ 60-57 loss to Laguna Beach last January.

His career-high of 46 came against El Camino (Oceanside) in the Laguna Baech Tournament.

Later in the tournament, Fryer wrenched a thumb and bruised a tendon in his left hand while diving for a ball. Just as the hand healed, he twisted his right ankle. The injuries haven’t hindered his performances, though.

Fryer is an equal-opportunity scorer, willing to put up the long-range jump shot, or take advantage of his quickness and drive to the basket if the defense comes out on him.

“My favorite spot is the top of the key,” he said. “But, really, it’s anywhere I can get open.”

Said Errion: “His shot selection and technique have really improved. He must be a good shooter. Just by looking at his size, you can tell he’s not getting his points posting up inside.”

Fryer is being recruited by many colleges, including the University of the Pacific, Pepperdine, Loyola Marymount and Texas El Paso. But, he is in no hurry to make up his mind about a college.

“I’ll wait till the next signing day, April 9th,” he said. “I played a lot of volleyball during the summer and once basketball ends, I’ll be playing on the school team. That way I’ll be able to stay in shape.”

Jeff Fryer

Corona del Mar High School

Position: Forward

Height, Class: 6-2, Sr.

Last Week: Scored 41 points in one game.

Season: He is averaging 27.8 points a game and is the leading scorer in Orange County.