Most of Last Year’s Seniors Are Still Hitting the Hoop in College

What does the future hold for the South Bay high school basketball all-stars?

Most of last year’s South Bay all-stars are playing, with various degrees of success.

The big success story among the nine seniors from last year’s boys team was Elden Campbell, who had a solid year as Clemson University’s first big man off the bench. The 6-9 Morningside High graduate took the Atlantic Coast Conference in stride, averaging about 10 points and ranking among ACC leaders in blocked shots. His major deficiency? He led the team in fouls and fouling out. His play helped Clemson gain an NCAA Tournament berth.

Last season’s player of the year, Keith Malone of Serra, was a backup guard at Oklahoma State. Jeff Pelton from Palos Verdes and Steve Florentine from Redondo also attended major colleges. Florentine saw limited action at UC Irvine, averaging 1.5 points in 15 games with a season high of 8. Pelton redshirted at Montana and will compete for a guard spot next season. Montana graduates both starting guards.

James Johnson out of Chadwick had an injury-plagued season at Pomona-Pitzer but played well for the junior varsity and figures in varsity plans next season.

Several South Bay alumni played in junior college. Zlatko Josic from San Pedro started for South Coast Conference champion El Camino College. Anthony January of Carson briefly went to Texas-El Paso but ended up at Harbor College. Michael Courtney from Westchester played at Santa Monica College.

Only four of the South Bay all-star girls last year were seniors, and only two are still playing.

Player of the year Rosiland Moore of Inglewood played at Arizona State, averaging 2.2 points and earning a start near the end of the season. Karyn Bolger of San Pedro was a reserve for the University of San Francisco, West Coast Athletic Conference champion, and should compete for a starting spot next season.

Kelli Knox of Inglewood is not playing (the family can still cheer for brother Eric, a starter at Oregon State), and Jennifer Rosen of South Torrance suffered a serious knee injury last summer and is not playing.