Cherokee and Tes: Names, Games to Remember

Even if these two guys couldn’t play basketball worth a lick, they’d still draw attention. Who wouldn’t notice a guy named Cherokee or Tes?

But the fact is, Cherokee Parks and Tes Whitlock can play the game--and play it well. Ask any coach whose team played against Marina or Loara high schools last season.

Parks (Marina) and Whitlock (Loara) are the top high school players in Orange County. There is no need to go through the ritual of naming a “top five,” not as long as these guys are still lacing up sneakers here.

Here are the top players for 1990-91 and this season’s coaches’ “Dream Team” (Parks, Whitlock and any three guys who are breathing):

CHEROKEE PARKS

All that needs to be said about Parks’ ability is that he has signed a letter of intent to play at Duke. Ever hear of Blue Devil Coach Mike Krzyzewski recruiting a bad player?

Parks averaged 22.1 points and 13.4 rebounds last season. He shot 59.3% from the field and 80% from the free-throw line.

Honors? You want honors?

Parks was named first-team all-Southern Section and the Sunset League’s most valuable player after leading the Vikings to the league title.

At 6 feet 11, Parks plays well with his back to the basket. He also handles the ball well enough to play forward in college.

Parks has been on every college coach’s shopping list for quite a while. By the time he was a freshman, he already had two shoe boxes jammed with letters from four-year schools. One college coach even predicted Parks would skip college and go straight to the NBA.

He has been one of the stars standouts of the Nike Camp in Princeton, N.J., the past two seasons. The only thing Parks hasn’t accomplished is leading Marina to a Southern Section championship.

TES WHITLOCK

Like Parks, Whitlock attended the prestigious Nike Camp and is ranked among the top 50 high school players in the nation by several magazines. And like Parks, he was an all-section selection. But unlike Parks, he has decided to wait before signing a letter of intent. Because of that, Whitlock will be the county’s most recruited player.

A gifted shooter and passer, Whitlock was second in the county in scoring, averaging 29.8 points, and second in assists, averaging 7.8, in 1989. He shot 50.3% from the field, including 39% of his three-point attempts, and 78.8% from the free-throw line.

A 6-3 senior guard, Whitlock can carry a team single-handedly and has done so. He scored 54 points in a game last season, tying the third-highest total in county history. Every time Whitlock takes the court, Art Worthy’s single-game record (58 points in 1910 for Huntington Beach) is in jeopardy.

THE NEXT LEVEL

Mustapha Abdi (6-3, senior, Huntington Beach)--After averaging 16.7 points as a sophomore at Savanna, Abdi transferred to Huntington Beach last season. The change of scenery didn’t hurt. He averaged 24 points and was tied for second in the county in rebounding, averaging 13.4. For his efforts, he was named first-team all-Southern Section. Abdi can play guard or forward, though his inside game is stronger.

Dan Bathey (6-5, senior, Santa Margarita)--A big reason the Eagles reached the quarterfinals of the Division 2-AA playoffs last season, Bathey averaged 18 points and was named second-team all-section. A big guard who can shoot, Bathey made 44.1% of his three-point field goal attempts.

David Beilstein (5-11, senior, Tustin)--He was the county’s top shooter last season and should defend that title this year. He made 67.4% of his field goal attempts, an exceptional average for an outside shooter, and made 32.8% from three-point range. Beilstein averaged 17.7 points. As the team’s point guard, he ran the offense, averaging four assists per game.

Brandon Jessie (6-5, junior, Edison)--Quite possibly the best all-round athlete in the county; besides basketball, he is an outstanding football player. Jessie became a clutch player for the Chargers last year and was named second-team all-section.

Rob Johnson (6-4, senior, El Toro)--Johnson is one of the top football recruits in the county, and he’ll certainly be at a big-time university next fall as a quarterback, but his swan song as a basketball player should be a good one. Johnson should be one of the leading scorers in the county, averaging 23.1 points last season. A big guard, he has outstanding shooting range.

John Molle (6-5, senior, Irvine)--Often overlooked last season in the competitive South Coast League, Molle is one of its two top players. He has signed a letter of intent with San Diego State. Molle averaged 20.9 points and 7.5 rebounds a year ago and was second in the county in free-throw percentage (89.4).

Kevin Wilborn (6-4, senior, Canyon)--Wilborn, who has outstanding leaping ability, was fourth in the county in rebounding (13.3 per game) last season. He generally has at least one spectacular dunk per game. Wilborn averaged 16.3 points but is a below-average outside shooter, his main drawback.

Chauncy Woolridge (6-5, senior, Santa Ana)--The reason the Saints will challenge for the Sunset League title. A good outside shooter with outstanding moves. He averaged 17.6 points last season and 5.0 rebounds.

JUNIOR STANDOUTS

Adam Anderson (6-4, Servite)--A key figure in the Friars’ run for the state Division III title last season, Anderson averaged 10 points and five rebounds. He is a solid defender who usually draws the opposing team’s top big man. Anderson is also a good outside shooter and handles the ball well.

Jason Cunningham (6-4, Los Alamitos)--A gifted athlete who was inconsistent last season, Cunningham will assume more scoring responsibilities after the graduation of Robert Conlisk (6-11, Arizona State). Cunningham averaged 12 points and 6.5 rebounds for the Griffins. A transfer from Mayfair, Cunningham is at his best in the open court, where his speed and quickness are an edge.

Matt Fuerbringer (6-5, Estancia)--He made the key defensive play that gave the Eagles the Southern Section Division 3-AA championship last season, blocking a shot at the buzzer as Estancia beat Servite, 51-49. Fuerbringer might not become a dominant offensive player, but he can be counted on for 15 to 20 points. The county’s top junior.

THE SLEEPER

Joe Foss (6-4, senior, Esperanza)--No one, except Empire League coaches, gave Foss much attention last season. A big guard, he led the Aztecs to a second-place finish. Foss averaged 21.2 points and eight rebounds while shooting 56.6% from the field last year.

WHAT, NO MONARCHS?

Never fret, lovers of Mater Dei basketball, the Monarchs have not been forgotten. Sure they lost every starter from last season’s state Division I championship team, but when has Coach Gary McKnight been without talent? Here are his top players:

Mark Moneypenny (6-11, senior, center)--An awkward-looking freshman three years ago, Moneypenny will be a defensive force. He’s an great outstanding shot-blocker who has improved his agility. Moneypenny won’t be the best center the Monarchs have had (remember LeRon Ellis?), but he will provide solid inside play.

Reggie Geary (6-2, junior, guard)--A great shooter and quick defender, he had two breakaway, crowd-pleasing dunks in the Southern Section 5-A championship game last season. Geary transfered from Ocean View two years ago and will become an offensive star standout this season.

THE QUESTION MARK

Ryan Westendorf (6-7, senior, St. Margaret’s)--Sure, he led the county in rebounding (19.2 per game) and was fourth in scoring (25.8), but against whom? Being the big fish in a little pond certainly helped. St. Margaret’s is a small school, and its schedule is filled with cream puffs. Tartan Coach Rich Bauer said Notre Dame Coach Digger Phelps called Westendorf the best underclassman at his camp two years ago. But will Digger follow it up with a scholarship?