Moving West Was the Best for Golden West’s Kreps

Alex Kreps is having a strong season for Golden West College’s basketball team. In fact, he is doing well enough to draw the attention of several four-year colleges, including Colorado State.

But Kreps is the first to admit that he’s nervous about all of the attention that comes with being recruited--mainly because it’s new to him.

Unlike some community college players who at least received letters from colleges while in high school, Kreps missed all that.

He didn’t play basketball or even finish his senior year at West Springfield High in Virginia.

Kreps spent some time as a model when he was 16, but over the next few years he grew four inches to 6-feet-4 and was too tall to get work. He passed the test for his high school equivalency degree in 1987 when he was 18 and moved to Huntington Beach later that year.

“I was more into parties, doing my own thing and having a good time,” said Kreps, 21, about his high school days. “People always pushed me toward basketball, but I was sort of a rebel who didn’t want to do what I was told.”

Kreps, who is now 6-7, views his move west as a last chance for school and basketball.

“I remember when he walked into my office the first time,” Golden West Coach Jim Greenfield said. “His hair was about three colors and all frizzy. But he said he wanted to play, so he started to work out with us. It’s amazing how far he has come. Give him the credit. He has done all the work.”

Kreps sat out the 1987-88 season, but averaged 14.5 points and 6.7 rebounds a game as a starter last season.

This season, he is leading Golden West with an average of 20.6 points, second to Fullerton’s Rashone Lewis (21.3) in the Orange Empire Conference, and 8.5 rebounds a game.

Kreps is also moving up the Golden West career list in scoring and rebounding. He is sixth in all-time scoring with 938 points and fifth in rebounding with 409.

But the numbers on the basketball court are not the only thing that Kreps is proud of. He has earned his associate of arts degree at Golden West and has held a security job at Ocean View High the past two years.

“I just have more confidence in every aspect of my life,” Kreps said. “When I first got here I couldn’t play basketball and never had a job for more than a month or two.”

Kreps has missed three games this season because of ankle injuries. He was injured during two periods when coaches at four-year schools are able to watch players.

“I’m trying not to think about people watching me,” Kreps said. “But it’s something I have to deal with. I see the opportunities that are there but that’s not what’s important. The team comes first and I’ll worry about where I go next later.”

Record watch: Gene Altamirano of Rancho Santiago needs one three-point basket to set the school single-season record.

Altamirano, a sophomore guard from Los Amigos High, has 72, the same number Kenny Ammann made in 1987-88. Altamirano will most likely break the record Saturday when Rancho Santiago plays at Saddleback.

Cypress sophomore guard Vince Hizon moved into third place on the Chargers’ all-time free-throw list with 203. Hizon, who has shot 88% (203 of 232) in his career, needs nine to move into second place with Tyrone Branyon (1975-77), who has 211. Pat Barrett (1975-77) is the leader with 246.

Alan Schlines of OCC is tied with Dick Barton (1960-62) for seventh on the all-time rebound list with 655.

Community College Notes

Fullerton quarterback David Chiusum has signed with New Mexico State and running back Tony Goulet has agreed to go to Montana. Rancho Santiago tight end Dan Ford has signed with Kent State. . . . Saddleback had five other players sign this week. John Burns (running back) will attend Northern Colorado, Mike Montreuil (defensive end) is going to Cal State Long Beach, Mike Middlebrook (offensive tackle) is going to Weber State, Kelly Marks (defensive end) is going to Sonoma State and Jay Johnson (linebacker) is going to St. Mary’s in the fall. . . . Four Rancho Santiago football players and two from Fullerton made the all-Southern California team. From Rancho Santiago, running back Estrus Crayton, wide receiver Paul Peters, linebacker Fred Soares and defensive back Tony Gonzalez were selected. Linebacker Mahe Liavaa and defensive back Orlando Robbins of Fullerton also are on the team.