Lynwood Sweeps Prep Basketball Honors

Lynwood High School swept the prep basketball honors at The Times’ award brunch last Sunday at the Anaheim Hilton Hotel.

Earnest Killum and Linda Watson were named players of the year and Bill Notley and Maurice Roberson were selected as coaches of the year.

The 6-foot-4 1/2 Killum, the Southeast player of the year, averaged 30 points and 7.5 rebounds a game.

The Southeast girls player of the year, for the second consecutive season, is Brenda Pantoya of Bell Gardens. Pantoya, a 5-7 junior, averaged 20 points and 6 rebounds for the Lancers.

Notley, who has coached Lynwood for 23 seasons, is the Southeast boys coach of year. He guided the Knights to a 31-3 record and a berth in the Southern Section finals.

Notley, who had contemplated stepping down as coach, has said he will return again next season.

The girls coach of the year in the Southeast is Liz Metcalf of Valley Christian. Her Crusaders, who reached the Southern Section finals and won a berth in the state tournament, finished 21-6.

In the South Coast area, the boys player of the year is Ed O’Bannon of Artesia.

The 6-foot-8 O’Bannon, an All-American who made the All-South Coast team three consecutive years, averaged 26 points and 11 rebounds in his senior season for the Pioneers.

Lynwood’s Watson is the girls player of the year in the South Coast. The 5-10 Watson, who will play at USC, averaged 21 points, nine rebounds and six assists for the Knights.

Watson has been player of the year for two consecutive seasons.

The South Coast boys coach of the year award went to Ron Palmer of Poly.

After a four-year absence, Palmer returned to Poly and guided the Jackrabbits to a 28-3 record and the CIF Southern Section championship.

Roberson is the South Coast girls coach of the year. His Knights, 28-3, reached the Southern Section finals and then played in the state tournament.