Manual Arts’ Bennett Signs With Kansas State

Kent Bennett of L.A. Manual Arts High School, who led the Toiler basketball team to a 26-2 record, Wednesday signed a national letter of intent to attend Kansas State during the first day of the spring signing period for the National Collegiate Athletic Assn.

Bennett averaged 20.3 points and 11.2 rebounds this season and was an All-City 4-A Division selection.

“Kent is very happy to be going to play for a Big Eight school,” said Manual Arts Coach Randolph Simpson, who confirmed Bennett’s signing Wednesday night. “He likes the idea of playing at a big-time school with a good academic program.”

Tracy Murray, who set state scoring records for Glendora High, will attend UCLA, Murray’s mother, Candy, confirmed.

UCLA coaches were unable to confirm the signing because they had yet to receive the signed letter. Murray, who was in Louisville, Ky., where he will play in an all-star game this weekend, sent the letter by overnight mail.

A 6-foot 8-inch forward, Murray averaged 44.26 points last season and set a state career-scoring record of 3,053 points and a single-season record of 1,505 points.

Pepperdine signed Damin Lopez, a 5-10 guard from Apollo High in Glendale, Ariz. Lopez averaged 27.6 points, 8.0 assists and 3.4 rebounds last season.

UC Irvine signed Craig Marshall, a 6-2 guard from Saddleback High in Santa Ana. Marshall averaged 14.1 points, 8.3 rebounds and 3.5 assists this season.

Cal State Fullerton signed 6-5 guard/forward Bruce Bowen of Fresno Edison, who led the Tigers to the State Central Section title. Bowen averaged 21.4 points and seven rebounds and scored 42 points in the Tigers’ 110-92 State Tournament Division I quarterfinal loss to Crenshaw, the eventual champion.

The Titans also signed 6-2 guard Dareck Crane of Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa.

Loyola Marymount is expected to sign Tony Walker, a 6-1 guard from Ventura College. Walker averaged 8.5 points, 8.7 assists and 2.0 steals this season.