Carson Gets Passing Grade From Its Coach

Richard Masson liked what he saw last week at the Carson Grand Finale summer basketball tournament. The Carson High coach watched as his team outplayed a strong field of 16 schools to win the championship, beating Tustin, 68-67, in the final Sunday.

Masson hopes it was a preview of things to come.

“I’ve seen some strange things happen between the summertime and the beginning of the season. But if we have the same kids, it will be the most talented team I’ve had,” he said.

This is the tallest team Masson has fielded, heading into his ninth season as coach. The forwards--6-foot-4 junior Rudy Washington and 6-4 senior Justin Evans--were both starters last season, and 6-9 junior center Khary Stanley is the tallest player Masson has ever had.

Stanley, a junior varsity player last season, is beginning to round into shape after being sidelined for 1 1/2 months because of a spinal condition that forces him to wear a brace.

“The big kid played well offensively, but he’s still up and down,” Masson said.

Washington led Colt scorers in the tournament, averaging 20 points a game, and Evans, whose last name was Beery last season, rebounded well. Carson also benefitted from the addition of 6-3 junior forward William Thomas, a transfer from Banning.

Senior guard Tyrone Smith is the team’s third returning starter. He can play both guard positions and averaged 16 points a game in the tournament. Joining Smith in the back court were junior Derek Smith (no relation) and Shondrell Taylor, a promising 5-6 sophomore.

“(Taylor) is going to be a good one,” Masson said. “He’s an excellent ball handler with great vision. He’s really a spark plug. He makes us become a much faster team.”

Sunday’s championship game can best be described as a see-saw affair.

Carson fell behind Tustin, 13-1, cut the deficit to six by halftime and went ahead by nine in the second half before poor foul shooting opened the door for a Tustin comeback.

Carson missed several free throws in the final minutes, including four consecutive one-and-one chances. Tustin, which defeated a talented Fremont team in the semifinals, had a chance to win it, but a last-second shot from the free-throw line bounced off the back rim.

Evans came up with the game-clinching rebound for the Colts.

In a change from past years, Masson doesn’t expect Carson’s basketball team to be without bodies during football season. Masson said only one varsity player also plans to play football.

“That will make a whale of a difference,” he said.

That’s not to say Carson was bad before. The Colts have won two straight Pacific League titles and have done well in the playoffs. But not having to share players with the football team should improve continuity, especially early in the season.

Carson’s Evans is among a large contingent of South Bay basketball players participating in the Superstar Camp this week at UC Santa Barbara.

Other area players at the camp include Roger Hendrix and Chad Heitzler of Rolling Hills, Arthur Savage of Morningside, Gary Herrera of San Pedro, Chris Hansen of El Segundo, Rich Radford of Palos Verdes, Wyking Jones of St. Bernard, Michael Stith of Inglewood and David Cottey of Redondo.

Teams representing the Torrance Volleyball Club captured gold and silver medals last week at the Junior Olympic championships at Albuquerque, N.M.

Several recent South Bay high school graduates led Torrance Roof to the boys’ 18 division title. Competing against more than 60 teams, Torrance won its third national championship in four years with a three-game victory over Seaside of San Diego in the final.

Four Torrance players earned All-American honors: setters Canyon Ceman (Mira Costa High, most valuable player) and Ross Pier (Rolling Hills, first team), middle blocker Pat Ivie (Mira Costa, first team) and outside hitter David Swatik (Mira Costa, second team).

Other members of the team, coached by former North Torrance High and USC standout Lawrence Hom, included Mike Ashenfelter (Mira Costa), Hung Nguyen (Leuzinger), Chris Ritchie (Rolling Hills) and Tomo Wakao (Torrance).

Torrance Roof placed second in the boys’ 16-and-under division. The team, which lost in the final to Balboa Bay Blue, was led by All-Americans Cameron Green, Neil O’Brien (Mira Costa) and Evan Barth (Rolling Hills).

Stuart Murray (South Torrance) of Torrance Blue, which placed seventh in the 16-and-under division, also was named All-American.

Six South Bay volleyball standouts--Ivie, Ceman, Pier, Swatik, Ashenfelter and Ritchie--were among 36 players from across the nation invited to try out this week for a 12-man team that will represent the United States in a three-match series against Canada starting Monday in Colorado Springs, Colo.

The purpose for the training camp is to develop player profiles on Olympic hopefuls.

Outfielder Jstone Vines, a three-sport standout the last three years at San Pedro High, has signed a letter of intent to play softball for Cal State Fullerton. Vines was recruited by several colleges and had a scholarship offer from Ohio State, according to San Pedro Coach Tony Dobra.

Carson High football Coach Gene Vollnogle and former Banning High and Rams quarterback Vince Ferragamo are among five inductees this year in the Shrine All-Star Football Classic Hall of Fame.

Vollnogle coached the South team in 1961, when it featured future Notre Dame quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner John Huarte, and in 1983, when the team was quarterbacked by Steve Beuerlein, now with the Raiders.

Ferragamo, who sells real estate in Orange County, was quarterback for the South team in 1972. He set Shrine game records for most passes completed (21), most passing yards (364) and most touchdown passes (four) in the South’s 42-0 victory.

The other inductees are former Bishop Amat High and UCLA quarterback John Sciarra (South, 1972), former Santa Ana High, San Diego State and Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Isaac Curtis (South, 1969) and former Santa Barbara High and USC running back Ernie Zampese (South, 1954), now offensive coordinator for the Rams.

Palos Verdes and Inglewood will participate in the 48-team Summer Hoops Spectacular basketball tournament starting Monday at Alhambra High.

Inglewood plays Garfield at 4 p.m. Monday, followed by Palos Verdes’ game against Burbank at 6:40. The championship game is scheduled for 8 p.m. July 22 at the East Los Angeles College women’s gym.