Los Angeles Times 1987 ALL-STARS : Girls Squad Features That ‘Final 4’ Quality as Top Players Repeat

The Times All-South Coast girls basketball team is an impressive blend of great shooting, tremendous quickness, good defense and strong rebounding.

“Any college coach would like to have this team,” said Lakewood Coach Dow Lawson. “Before long it would probably make the Final Four.”

The quality of players doesn’t surprise Lawson.

“It’s exploding,” he said of girls basketball. “The kids are playing more and spending more time at it. They are playing in summer traveling leagues and at camps, and they’re playing with boys. They are shooting from longer range and with greater accuracy. They are dribbling behind their backs and between their legs, which they didn’t used to. And the availability of college scholarships is a big incentive for them.”

There are five repeaters on the team--Mandy Hannah of Compton High School, Trise Jackson and LaTasha Causey of Lynwood and Pam Pearson and Terri Stewart of Millikan.

The 10 selections:

Vonda Anderson, Lakewood--An exceptionally quick player, “Smooth V” was considered one of the top guard prospects on the West Coast. A 5-7 1/2 senior in her first varsity season, she averaged 22 points, 6 rebounds, 5 steals and 3 assists a game as the Lancers reached the second round of the playoffs. Anderson, also a fine student, won a scholarship to the University of Oregon.

LaTasha Causey, Lynwood--”A well-rounded, great defensive player,” said Lynwood Coach Van Girard of the quick 5-8 senior. Causey, who averaged 8 points and 6 assists for the Knights’ 28-3 team, is going to San Jose State.

Bolivia Estrada, Dominguez--A 6-4 3/4 junior center, Estrada averaged 13 rebounds a game and also had a soft touch that enabled her to average 21.2 points. “I like her coachability . . . she’s very motivated,” said Dominguez Coach Rita Grant. Estrada also has a 3.8 grade-point average.

Trise Jackson, Lynwood--A good shooter, passer and dribbler, the 5-7 junior guard averaged 17 points and 6 rebounds. “She’s hard working and unselfish, a joy to be around,” said Lynwood Coach Van Girard. Look for her to score more next season--”I’m going to turn her loose,” Girard said.

Mandy Hannah, Compton--Hannah averaged 22 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists to lead Compton to a 25-3 season. “She’s very aggressive and very coachable,” said Compton Coach Carolyn Montgomery of Hannah, who will play at Nevada Las Vegas. “I think she will be a great player who will contribute immediately.”

Sharon Hargrove, Compton--A 5-8 junior guard with tremendous leap on her jump shot, Hargrove averaged 17 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. She can dribble and penetrate and likes to go to the boards.

DeDe Mosman, St. Joseph--Only a junior, this 5-6 guard averaged 17.8 points, 7.6 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 3 steals to lead the Jesters to a 20-6 record. Coach Margaret Bos described Mosman as a real intense player who could shoot from well out on the court and who was one of the best ball handlers in the area.

Euphemia Neely, Poly--Deafness is no handicap for this 5-7 junior guard, who was named co-most valuable player in the Moore League for her all-around performance. She averaged 14.7 points a game and excelled defensively with 55 steals. “I didn’t see too many girls who could stop her when she drove to the basket,” said Poly Coach Orlando Larracuente.

Pam Pearson, Millikan--The 6-1 Pearson’s average of 17.6 rebounds a game was second in the Southern Section. A senior, Pearson also averaged 14.7 points and her coach, Greg Pappas, said she was the most dominating inside player in the Moore League.

Terri Stewart, Millikan--A 5-4 senior, Stewart averaged 14.9 points and 3.1 assists as the Rams’ point guard. A quick, penetrating type of player, she is being recruited by Chapman College and the University of Washington.

The all-star boys and girls teams, each consisting of 10 members, their coaches and parents will be guests of the Times at 9 a.m. Sunday at the annual Times High School Basketball Awards Brunch where all-star teams from 10 circulation areas will be honored at the Anaheim Hilton. The featured Speaker will be first-year USC Coach George Raveling. The players and coaches of the year from each area will be announced.

The teams were chosen on the basis of a poll of area coaches, who are asked to fill out ballots nominating their own players and opponents, plus the observations of college scouts and sportswriters. Each player will receive the traditional Times golden basketball plaque and award certificate.

GIRLS PREP TEAM

Name School Year Position Height Average Mandy Hannah Compton Senior Guard 5-10 22.0 Sharon Hargrove Compton Junior Guard 5-8 17.0 Bolivia Estrada Dominguez Junior Center 6-4 3/4 21.0 Vonda Anderson Lakewood Senior Guard 5-7 1/2 22.0 LaTasha Causey Lynwood Senior Guard 5-8 8.0 Trise Jackson Lynwood Junior Guard 5-7 17.0 Terri Stewart Millikan Senior Guard 5-5 14.9 Pam Pearson Millikan Senior Center 6-0 14.7 Euphemia Neely Poly Junior Guard 5-6 14.7 DeDe Mosman St. Joseph Senior Guard 5-7 17.8

Name Reb. Avg. Mandy Hannah 9.0 Sharon Hargrove 6.0 Bolivia Estrada 13.0 Vonda Anderson 6.0 LaTasha Causey 3.0 Trise Jackson 6.0 Terri Stewart 2.0 Pam Pearson 17.6 Euphemia Neely 3.0 DeDe Mosman 7.6