Courtie Miller and Chris Enger Are Named Players of the Year

Courtie Miller of Torrey Pines High School and Chris Enger of Vista were named The Times’ San Diego County boys’ and girls’ basketball players of the year Sunday at the Anaheim Hilton.

Jim Thompson, who coached the Madison High boys’ team to its first section championship and to the final of the Southern California Regionals, was named the boys’ coach of the year.

Co-coaches Lori Becker and Brad Merrill, who coached the San Pasqual girls’ team to the section division II championship and the final of the Southern California Regionals, were named the girls’ coaches of the year.

Miller, a junior, averaged 18.2 points and 9.1 rebounds per game in leading Torrey Pines to a 28-3 record, and the top county and state rankings for most of the season. He scored a season-high 36 points in a 90-88 double overtime victory over Camden (N.J.) in January.

Enger, also a junior, helped lead Vista to its second straight Palomar League championship with a 23-6 record. Enger led the county with a 27.9 points per game average. She also averaged 16.0 rebounds and just under 10 blocks per game. She blocked 17 shots in one game.

Thompson, who attended Madison, is only in his second year as the head coach, guided the Warhawks to a 28-3 record.

Becker, who played for Merrill at Orange Glen in the late 1970s, teamed up with him again as San Pasqual played to a 28-3 record. Becker coached volleyball at Escondido but received permission to help Merrill, who is retiring.