SOUTHERN SECTION VS. CITY BASKETBALL ALL-STAR GAME : McKnight’s Team Misses the Mark

The Southern Section boys were either out of practice or caught off-guard in a 137-126 loss to the City in the seventh Southern California all-star basketball game Friday at the Forum.

Shon Tarver, the two-time state Division IV player of the year from Santa Clara, was ineffective and Earnest Killum, a deadly shooter from Lynwood, was off-target despite leading all scorers with 23 points.

“I basically haven’t touched a basketball since we won the state title in Oakland three weeks ago,” said Tarver, who signed with Nevada Las Vegas. Tarver scored only nine points.

Tarver and Killum were overshadowed by City guard Greg Vernon of University, who signed last fall with Cal State Fullerton. Vernon led his team with 22 points, making 10 of 17 shots, as the City all-stars held a 14-point lead after three quarters and were never threatened.

But the most impressive player was North Hollywood’s 6-foot-7 center, Dana Jones, who will attend Pepperdine. Jones had 17 points and 10 rebounds and held his own against Long Beach Poly’s imposing center, Willie McGinest.

Afterward, Southern Section Coach Gary McKnight of Mater Dei said the City players were sharper and quicker in the fast-paced game.

“They looked like they’ve been playing since the season ended and our kids didn’t,” McKnight said. “Tarver and Killum are great shooters, and they were short on a lot of their shots.

“I used two units and let everybody play equally. Maybe it’s better to go with the top seven or eight players most of the game.”

McKnight used the game to showcase two of his unsigned players--guards Jason Quinn and David Boyle--from Mater Dei’s state Division I championship team. Quinn had a couple of steals and several nice passes, but he had problems defending some of the City’s quicker guards.

Boyle showed he can shoot with the best, scoring 19 points, but he also had problems keeping up with quicker players. McKnight said Quinn would most likely sign with Cal State Fullerton Saturday, and Boyle is leaning toward Chapman.

Guard Greg Evans of Ocean View, who signed with Loyola Marymount last fall, also was a step too slow Friday. Evans scored only two points and had problems controlling the ball against some of the quick-handed City players.

The City’s victory was only its second in the series after seven games. The Southern Section played without its marquee player, Ed O’Bannon of Artesia, who had previously committed to the Dapper Dan and McDonald’s All-American games.

In the girls’ game, Amy Jalewalia of La Quinta keyed a fourth-quarter run and the Southern Section girls defeated the City, 82-79. It was the sixth victory in seven games for the Southern Section.

Jalewalia, who will attend UCLA, stole two consecutive passes and scored on layups to give the Southern Section a 70-62 lead with about four minutes remaining.

Morningside’s Lisa Leslie had 14 points for the winners but was overshadowed by teammate Alisha Stevenson of North Riverside. Stevenson led all scorers with 21 points.