Several Bay Junior Preps Hailed as Stellar College Cage Prospects

The basketball class of 1989 is a year away from maturity, but already some scouts consider the current crop of juniors one of the most talented groups in South Bay history.

Don Mead, who runs a scouting advisory service, says upwards of 10 area players could sign with Division I colleges next season, providing that they maintain acceptable grades and avoid serious injuries.

That would make this year’s juniors the most recruitable class in the South Bay since 1982 when senior classes included Rolling Hills’ Jay Bilas (Duke) and Dave Butler (California), Carson’s Eldridge Hudson (UNLV), Serra’s Kerry Boagni (Kansas, Cal State Fullerton), Banning’s Gilbert Wilburn (New Mexico State), St. Bernard’s Ronnie Grandison (New Orleans) and the late Hernell (Jeep) Jackson of Gardena (Texas-El Paso).

“It’s hard to beat that year, but this is a good junior group,” Mead said. “A lot of these players will be highly recruited.”

Following is a rundown of the area’s top juniors, rated according to their potential as Division I prospects:

Sure Things:

Zan Mason, Westchester--The 6-7 center has drawn the attention of scouts and recruiters since his freshman year at Verbum Dei. Mason is a force around the basket who will probably play power forward in college. “He’s one of the most recruitable kids in the West,” Mead said. “He does everything well.” Mason didn’t hurt his stock by winning the MVP award at the prestigious Las Vegas Holiday Prep Tournament.

Harold Miner, Inglewood--A tremendous athlete with good grades, Miner is a recruiter’s dream. The 6-5 forward is a leaper who plays taller than his height. “He’s one of the finest athletes around,” Mead said. “He will be highly recruited.” Miner is projected to play small forward or off guard in college. When he improves his guard skills, look out.

Ed Stokes, St. Bernard--The area’s tallest player at 6-10, Stokes would be considered a college prospect based on height alone. But the center also has worlds of talent. Stokes possesses a nice outside shot and has led St. Bernard in scoring in recent games, an indication he is rounding into shape after a bout with hip tendinitis. “He needs to develop physically,” Mead said. “If he wants it, he can be very, very good.”

Good Bets:

John Hardy, Rolling Hills--Because of Rolling Hills’ lack of height, the 6-3 Hardy is forced to play center. He’s playing out of position, but no one seems to notice. His soft jump shot is accurate from 15 feet, and he works well near the basket. “He’s a good athlete and he knows how to play,” Mead said. “It won’t be a big problem converting him to guard.”

Sam Crawford, Westchester--One of Southern California’s premier point guards, Crawford is the player who makes the Comets soar. He can handle the ball, pass and penetrate to the basket. His 41-point effort against Dorsey last week also shows he can be a big scorer. So why isn’t Crawford considered among the elite prospects? Some believe 5-9 is too small.

Juno Armstrong, St. Bernard--By the time he’s through, Armstrong will have been a 3-year varsity starter for the respected St. Bernard program. The 6-4 forward is one of the Vikings’ steadiest players. “He is a good athlete with good fundamentals,” Mead said. “He is a fine prospect.” Armstrong will need to learn the guard position in college.

Greg Lindsey, Carson--The 6-2 guard appears to have a bright future. Lindsey possesses all-around skills and gave a preview of his potential last summer by winning MVP honors at Carson’s tournament. “He’s been overlooked, but I think this spring and summer people will start looking at him,” Mead said. “He has a good chance to go Division I.”

Slight Gambles:

Eddie Scott, Morningside--Although still developing as a player, Scott is favored by scouts for his athletic ability and potential. The 6-6 forward’s value figures only to rise. “He could be strongly considered for Division I, mainly as an athlete,” Mead said.

Shawn Foster, El Segundo--One of the best players at El Segundo in several years, Foster is a big scorer with jumping ability. At 6-4, however, some believe he is too small to play forward and too slow to play guard at a major college. Still, Mead says Foster is “worth watching.”

Renaud Gordon, Westchester--Gordon is rated highly despite being academically ineligible last season. “He’s a good athlete who can play,” Mead said. “His potential is high.” The 6-6 forward would be more well known if not overshadowed by talented teammates.

Mark Tesar, Rolling Hills--A long-range shooting specialist, Tesar is one of several talented Titans. The 6-2 guard is among the area leaders in three-point shots and possesses decent speed. “I like him,” Mead said. “He’s a kid to watch for the future.”

Other Juniors to Watch:

Cory Johnson (6-8), Tommy Holland (6-2) and Johnny Terrell (6-2) of Inglewood, Booker Waugh (6-5) of Westchester, David Townsend (6-2) of Mira Costa, Mike Houck (6-3) of Redondo, Scott Klein (6-5) of Miraleste and Ron Dinnel (6-2) of Rolling Hills.

Arnold Ale, Carson’s All-L. A. City linebacker, was asked by California Football magazine why Samoans are such good football players.

Said Ale: “We Samoans are psycho. Samoans have no fear of hurting their bodies. It’s an attitude. A Samoan’s got heart and doesn’t know what pain is.”

Apparently he hits the books as hard as he hits quarterbacks.

The 6-4, 220-pound Ale is one of five South Bay seniors who will be honored as scholar/athletes by the Los Angeles Chapter of the National Football Foundation Hall of Fame at a banquet Feb. 4 at Sportsmen’s Lodge in Studio City. Ale carries a 3.33 grade-point average.

Others to be honored include Palos Verdes defensive back Blake Grant (3.38 GPA), El Segundo wide receiver-safety Dave Lubs (3.87), Morningside defensive back Chris Price (3.9) and San Pedro guard-linebacker Joe Santos (3.52).

Actor Ed Marinaro, a former running back with the Minnesota Vikings, will speak.

Former collegiate standouts John Pleick and Dana Pagett will be among participants Tuesday night in an alumni basketball game at El Segundo High.

Pleick, who played center for Notre Dame, and Pagett, a guard at USC, will be reunited with many ex-El Segundo players. Former Eagles Coach Cliff Warren, now the coach at Rolling Hills, will guide one of the teams.

Others expected to participate include brothers Steve and Jim Obradovich and Bobby and John Brett.

Tickets will be available at the door for the 7 p.m. game.

PREP NOTES--Mira Costa’s Robyn Kropp recently set a school record by scoring four goals against Culver City in an Ocean League girls soccer game. Kropp then tied her mark with four goals against Santa Monica. She has 17 goals for the season. Mira Costa (8-4-4) is ranked No. 4 in the CIF 4-A Division. Hawthorne (14-2-3) is No. 5. . . . Morningside, the No. 1-ranked girls basketball team in the CIF 5-A Division, ran its record to 18-1 and 4-0 in the Pioneer League on Tuesday with a 110-33 rout over El Segundo. Center Lisa Leslie scored 33 points, forward Shaunda Greene had 30 and guard Carla Gladden added 27 for the Lady Monarchs. . . . Rolling Hills, West Torrance and Morningside are ranked fourth, fifth and sixth in this week’s CIF 3-A boys basketball poll. St. Bernard (13-5), ranked sixth in 5-A, played what Coach Jim McClune called “one of our best games of the year” Monday in beating New Jersey’s Camden High, 88-78. Camden was ranked No. 24 in the nation by USA Today.

South Bay Top 10 Boys’ Basketball

Selected by Times sportswriters

(Records through Tuesday’s games)

Rank, School, League Record 1 Westchester (Central) 15-1 2 Rolling Hills (Bay) 13-4 3 St. Bernard (Angelus) 13-5 4 West Torrance (Bay) 13-4 5 Morningside (Pioneer) 11-6 6 Palos Verdes (Bay) 11-6 7 Inglewood (Ocean) 9-7 8 Carson (Marine) 11-4 9 Leuzinger (Pioneer) 10-5 10 Hawthorne (Ocean) 8-6