Notebook / Sam Farmer : Former Marshall Standout Regains His Touch at Penn

In this, his junior season at the University of Pennsylvania, swing man Jerry Simon has finally rediscovered the deadly jump shot he wielded so effectively at Marshall High.

Simon, who averaged 33.2 points a game in his senior season, led the Barristers to the City Section 3-A Division title in 1986. His hot hand cooled at Penn, however, and though he saw considerable action last year, he averaged just 3.3 points.

This year, he is Penn’s second-leading scorer (13.2) and top rebounder (5.6). He also made a free throw with 15 seconds to play against Villanova on Dec. 6 as Penn (4-7) upset the Wildcats, 71-70.

Gunned down: In a 102-96 loss at Redlands on Saturday, the Occidental men’s basketball team got a firsthand look at the new, fast-paced Bulldog offense that averages more than 100 points a game and has become the talk of the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

Occidental Coach Brian Newhall says the Tigers stumbled when they attempted to mimic Redlands’ breakneck pace.

“There were about 20 possessions when we could have easily walked the ball up court but we just took off and played to their tempo,” he said.

Newhall admits he, too, was caught up in the game’s flow and did not notice the Tigers’ shortcomings until Sunday.

“When I left the place I felt good,” he said. “But when I watched the tape I thought, geez, we just have to make outside shots.”

Center Chris Anderson was the exception--he made 14 of 17 shots and scored a career-high 33 points. But Anderson managed only 6 rebounds.

“He’s cash when we get him the ball,” Newhall said of Anderson. “But he’s got to be more aggressive.”

Add Redlands: Jeff Sofro, an All-Southern Section selection at point guard and The Times’ 1988 All-Glendale baseball player of the year, has withdrawn from Pepperdine and transferred to Redlands.

Sofro, who graduated from Glendale High last June, was the only walk-on to make the Pepperdine basketball team. He played in an exhibition game against Athletes in Action before quitting to concentrate on baseball. He was an infielder in high school.

In his senior season at Glendale, Sofro averaged 21.7 points a game in basketball and batted .397. According to his father, Barney, Sofro intends to play both sports at Redlands.

Soccer honor: Bobby Guerrero, a midfielder on the St. Francis High soccer team, was among 55 All-Americans selected by the National Soccer Coaches Assn. of America.

Guerrero, who has scored 10 goals in helping the Knights to the best record (12-1) in school history, flew to Philadelphia with Coach Cherif Zein to be honored in a ceremony last Saturday.

Guerrero is not the first All-American from St. Francis. David Havassy, who later played at Fresno State, was similarly honored in 1986. Anton Nistl, now the starting goalkeeper at UCLA, was selected All-West Coast and a second-team All-American in 1984.

Zein says Guerrero’s ability is deceptive.

“You don’t think he’s doing anything and then all of a sudden he’ll burn you real fast,” Zein said. “At the last minute, when you don’t expect it, he comes through.”

Renaissance man: The development of former Crescenta Valley standout Harvey Mason continues to unfold at Arizona--on and off the basketball court.

“Coming out of high school he was strictly a scorer and it’s been a big adjustment for him,” Arizona Coach Lute Olson said. “He’s become our second-best penetrator (behind All-American Sean Elliott) and his great quickness can make him an outstanding defensive player as long as he maintains his level of intensity.”

After seeing limited action as a freshman and sophomore, Mason earned a starting spot this season, but lost that role after 10 games.

“I’m happy with the way things are going, but I just wish I hadn’t gone into a slump early in the season,” Mason said after scoring 8 points in the Wildcats’ 97-69 win over USC at the Sports Arena last Thursday. “(During the slump) I wasn’t shooting real well, but those things happen. It’s just a game.”

Apt words from a college basketball player who has demonstrated success off the court as well.

Mason has recorded music professionally, wrote and helped produce a highly acclaimed anti-drug video last year and during the summer worked as an intern in the office of Sen. Dennis DeConcini (D-Ariz.) A political science major, Mason is also considering attending law school when his basketball career ends.

Tournament time: The 3rd Roger Barkley charity golf tournament will be held April 3 at the La Canada Flintridge Country Club. Scheduled activities include a putting contest at 9 a.m., a Texas scramble tee-off at 11, cocktails at 5 p.m. and an awards dinner at 6.

Proceeds will benefit the Rotary Club’s Polioplus program, the La Canada Youth House and Community Center, the Glendale Community Foundation and Ahead with Horses.

Tickets for golf and the awards dinner are $174.95, or $50.05 for dinner only. For reservations, write the Roger Barkley charity golf tournament, P.O. Box 1033, La Canada, CA 91011. Information: (818) 790-8076.

Steven Herbert contributed to this notebook.