HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL : 1991 ALL-VENTURA COUNTY TEAMS : FIRST-TEAM PROFILES

BOYS’ COACH OF THE YEAR

Don Salado, Channel Islands: Salado capped a three-year plan and his coaching career at Channel Islands by guiding his team to a share of the Marmonte League championship. Salado, 57, has had two tenures with the Raiders. Most of his success came from 1971-85 when his teams won 67% of their games and Southern Section 2-A championships in 1977 and ’78.

Salado retired in 1985 but returned for the 1988-89 season after a three-year hiatus. The team struggled to a 1-19 record. “I was only going to take it for one year,” he said, “but I just couldn’t leave after that season.” The Raiders improved to 8-15 last season and, again, Salado could not say no to coming back. The perseverance paid off as the Raiders went 20-6, including a playoff win over Keppel. “Everyone was willing to put a lot of heart and time into the program. This was an unforgettable season,” Salado said.

BOYS’ PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Chris Loll, Thousand Oaks: Loll served notice early that rigorous workouts during the off-season had transformed him into Ventura County’s best basketball player, earning most valuable player awards in the Ventura and Thousand Oaks tournaments.

As Loll went, so did his team: Thousand Oaks won both tournaments, captured a share of its first Marmonte League championship since 1977 and posted the most wins (22) in school history.

During the league season, Loll was named state player of the week by Cal-Hi Sports. Loll, a forward and left-handed shooter, set school season and career records for points (678; 1,055), scoring average (25.1; 20.3), rebounds (293; 463) and blocked shots (87; 130). He also holds the career record for three-point baskets (63). Loll’s most memorable performance came in the second round of the 1-A Division playoffs against Canyon Springs. He had 33 points and 18 rebounds as the Lancers won in overtime, 55-52.

BOYS’ ALL-VENTURA COUNTY FIRST TEAM

Stevie Amar, Santa Clara: Santa Clara was the steadiest team in the county, putting together a 14-game winning streak before falling in the state Division IV final. Amar, a forward, was the steadiest of the Saints. His well-rounded game and business-like demeanor exemplified Santa Clara’s patient yet aggressive approach. “Stevie was very consistent,” Coach Lou Cvijanovich said. “He was the best field-goal shooter we had and rebounded well also.” Amar led the Saints with 9.1 rebounds a game.

Stephane Brown, Channel Islands: When Salado describes the key to his Channel Islands team, Brown is the topic. “With Stephane, the whole atmosphere changed,” Salado said. “I’ve never had a better player.” Brown, an off-guard who transferred from Ohio, led the Raiders in scoring, rebounds (8.7) and assists (5.7). Brown, an All-Ventura tournament selection, is at his best creating with the ball, penetrating the defense and either pulling up for a jump shot or passing off to an open teammate.

Jared Byrne, Royal: The key was no place for an opposing player with the ball against Royal. Byrne owned the paint, blocking a school-record and county-leading 114 shots. Byrne, a forward and co-captain, also averaged 9.7 rebounds and finished third on Royal’s all-time list. Leadership was also provided by Byrne. “He was our senior leadership person,” Coach Joe Malkinson said. “And he was a force inside defensively.”

Chris Cole, Santa Clara: The most talented member of a talent-rich Santa Clara team is Cole, a two-year starter. Cole, a forward, plays unselfishly and his statistics are not flashy, but his value to the Saints is indisputable. “Chris was our take-charge guy when we got in trouble,” Cvijanovich said. “He was our best defensive man and always drew the toughest assignment.” Cole, a left-handed shooter and excellent jumper, averaged 6.2 rebounds and 2.9 steals.

Brian Capella, Thousand Oaks: Capella was the Lancers’ second-leading scorer, but that only begins to describe his contribution to the team’s success. Capella, a rangy off-guard, led the Lancers with 103 assists and was third in the county with 74 steals. Capella, an All-Ventura tournament selection, performed best down the stretch in key games, providing assists, steals, dunks and free throws in the waning moments of two wins over Channel Islands and in playoff victories over Dana Hills and Canyon Springs.

Lance Fay, Buena: For the second year in a row, the point guard not only spearheaded the Bulldogs’ up-tempo attack but led the team in scoring. Fay, a two-year starter, followed in the tradition of Jeff Oliver by switching from off-guard to the point and increasing his offense as a result. Fay, an All-Ventura tournament selection, plays a well-rounded game. He was second in the county with 78 steals and he averaged a team-high 4.5 assists.

David Harbour, Camarillo: Harbour, a three-time All-Ventura County selection, was one of the best pure shooters in the state. The Scorpion guard led county players with a 26.9 scoring average. He also led Camarillo in rebounds (8.8) and assists (4.4). Harbour, who signed early with Stanford, scored 39 and 33 points in II-A Division playoff games. Harbour, an All-Ventura tournament selection, is the Scorpions’ all-time leading scorer with 1,755 points.

Tim Sebek, Nordhoff: The record book at Nordhoff is rapidly being rewritten by Sebek, a forward who holds the career and season scoring marks (1,108; 518 points). Next season he is a cinch to set career records for rebounds and assists. Sebek, player of the year in the Frontier League, averaged 12.9 rebounds and 5.3 assists this season. Nordhoff Coach Dick Sebek, Tim’s father, said that Tim is the best player he has coached in his 16 years at the school.

Dave Tyner, Royal: Tyner, a transfer from Rim of the World, asserted himself as one of the best perimeter shooters in the county. Tyner, an off-guard, set a school record with 70 three-point baskets. He hit 45.8% from three-point range and 81% of his free throws. “Dave came in new, made a nice transition and was accepted right away by the other kids,” Malkinson said. “He’s got a deadly shot.”

GIRLS’ COACH OF THE YEAR

Chuck Brown, Thousand Oaks: After several years of fielding outstanding Thousand Oaks teams, only to see them fall in the Southern Section playoffs, Brown brought the Lancers to the I-A Division championship in his eighth season as coach. Thousand Oaks (28-4) set a school record for victories in a season and won its third Marmonte League title under Brown. The Lancers have never had a losing record in Brown’s tenure in basketball or softball, which he has coached for six years.

GIRLS’ PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Michelle Palmisano, Thousand Oaks: A junior guard who is one of the finest players ever in Ventura County, Palmisano led Thousand Oaks to its first Southern Section girls’ basketball championship with a victory over Buena in the I-A final. Palmisano is known primarily as a pure scorer, a player who holds county records for points a season (798) and a career (1,958). But she also set a school record for rebounds in a season (317) and had 164 assists. “Many times in basketball, you can see that it pains a top scorer to give up the ball. Not Michelle,” Brown said. “She is just as happy passing the ball.”

GIRLS’ ALL-VENTURA COUNTY FIRST TEAM

Candis Carper, Channel Islands: Despite playing in the shadow of talented teammate Sal Tauau, Carper carved out enough of an identity of her own to earn a scholarship to Arizona State. Carper, a forward, was second on the team in scoring and rebounding (8.9). She was equally adept at scoring from inside and outside. “Candis has a wealth of natural ability,” Coach Ryle Lynch-Cole said.

Cori Herman, Ventura: Ventura used a balanced lineup to advance to the Southern California regional final, but the undisputed leader of the Cougars was Herman, a three-year All-Channel League selection. Herman, a guard, is Ventura’s all-time scoring leader with 1,275 points. She also averaged 6.8 rebounds this season. “Cori had to play a lot underneath the basket on defense,” Coach Glenn Gray said.

Lianne Ishikawa, Buena: Buena’s disciplined system requires an excellent point guard. Ishikawa filled the role this season, racking up 196 assists. Ishikawa, who signed early with Cal State Fullerton, is particularly adept at seeing the floor. “She handles the ball extremely well,” Coach Joe Vaughan said. “She was responsible for setting up the break and displayed an ability to attack people with the dribble.”

Marion Jones, Rio Mesa: Perhaps the best athlete in the county is Jones, one of the nation’s best high school sprinters and an excellent basketball player. Jones, a forward, takes basketball seriously and has a well-rounded game. Her speed comes in handy too. “It’s real apparent on the open court,” Coach Al Walker said. “When she makes a steal anywhere near the top of the circle, it’s four dribbles and a layup.”

Dani O’Byrne, Westlake: Westlake finished in a three-way tie for the Marmonte League championship thanks in great part to the play of O’Byrne, a seasoned guard. O’Byrne, a two-time All-Ventura County selection, is an excellent shooter who can also take the ball to the basket with authority. For the second year in a row, she led the Warriors in assists (111) and she added 260 rebounds this season.

Mia Palkie, Buena: Palkie, an off-guard, led the Bulldogs in scoring and rebounding (7.0). Palkie, who signed early with Utah, is an intelligent player who jumps very well. “For an off-guard to lead the team in rebounds is a heck of an effort,” Vaughan said. “She touches the rim and has very good timing and basketball sense.” Palkie, a two-time All-Ventura County pick, has a 4.0 grade-point average.

Denise Rea, Ventura: Ventura’s most physical player was Rea, a forward who led the team in rebounding with a 7.8 average. Rea is an enthusiastic player who is unafraid of mixing it up inside with larger opponents. “Denise is the person who handles weakside rebounding,” Gray said. “And she has a really nice outside shot as well.” Rea was a second-team All-Ventura County choice last season.

Sasha Scardino, Thousand Oaks: Palmisano was complemented by Scardino, a transfer from La Reina who stepped into the lineup and led the Lancers in rebounding (8.7). The versatile Scardino plays well inside and is quick enough to bring the ball up court. “Sasha was very aggressive on the front end of our press,” Brown said. “She jumps well and handles the ball very well for a post girl.”

Sal Tauau, Channel Islands: The most dominant inside force in the county was Tauau, a rugged player who holds county rebounding records for a game (34), season (456) and career (1,330). “No one could match up with her in the key,” Lynch-Cole said. Tauau, a two-time All-Ventura County pick who signed early with Cal State Long Beach, averaged a county-high 17.5 rebounds this season.

ALL-VENTURA COUNTY BASKETBALL SECOND TEAMS

Boys

Pos Name School Ht Yr Avg G Art Barron Santa Clara 5-11 Jr. 15.4 G Greg Bellman Rio Mesa 5-11 Sr. 15.2 G Marlowe Durmiendo Channel Isl. 6-0 Sr. 15.5 G Tim Lane Newbury Park 5-11 Sr. 17.5 F Isaiah Mustafa Santa Clara 6-3 Jr. 11.9 G Joey Ramirez Santa Paula 6-0 Jr. 22.1 C Mike Ryken Ventura 6-4 Sr. 12.0 F Jon Seiler Ventura 6-2 Sr. 15.4 G Tony Smith Hueneme 5-9 So. 18.4 F John Van Spyk Westlake 6-6 Sr. 16.5

Girls

Pos Name School Ht Yr Avg C Jamie Arundell Fillmore 6-0 So. 24.8 G Lori Church Simi Valley 5-10 Sr. 15.6 C Lauren Goldstine Westlake 6-0 Jr. 17.7 G Jennifer Gutierrez Santa Clara 5-6 Sr. 13.4 F Marcie James Newbury Park 5-10 Jr. 15.1 F Suzanne Nelinger Thousand Oaks 5-11 Sr. 9.7 F Carrie Smith Nordhoff 5-10 Sr. 16.6 G Gina Sosa Hueneme 5-7 Jr. 19.6 G Andrea Williams Ventura 5-7 Sr. 10.0 F Jennifer Wells Buena 5-10 Sr. 9.7

ALL-VALLEY BASKETBALL TEAMS

Boys

Pos Name School Ht Yr Avg G Jerry Allen* Granada Hills 6-4 Sr. 22.3 G Marquis Burns Reseda 6-3 Jr. 20.0 G Kenny Collins Cleveland 6-0 Sr. 17.1 F Marty Downen Hart 6-5 Sr. 16.8 G Robert Hill No. Hollywood 6-2 Jr. 18.6 F Brandon Martin Cleveland 6-4 Jr. 24.9 G Sean Martin Agoura 6-0 Sr. 25.3 F G.C. Marcaccini Notre Dame 6-5 Sr. 20.4 G Chris Young Quartz Hill 6-0 Sr. 20.6 F Greg Yumbar Saugus 6-5 Sr. 17.4

* denotes Valley player of the year

Coach of the year--Jim Woodard (Taft)

Girls

Pos Name School Ht Yr Avg G Anjanette Dionne* Hart 5-7 Jr. 20.2 F Latisha Beam Palmdale 5-9 So. 12.7 G Rachel Corelli Alemany 5-5 Jr. 16.2 G Maria Costa Chaminade 5-1 Jr. 15.0 F Karleen Cox L.A. Baptist 5-9 Sr. 18.7 C Sarah Guziel Alemany 6-2 Jr. 16.3 G Kim Schielke Palmdale 5-9 So. 12.3 G Suzi Shimoyama No. Hollywood 5-8 Jr. 11.7 G Jacinda Sweet No. Hollywood 5-8 Sr. 21.2 G Huong Thai Van Nuys 5-0 Sr. 12.2

* denotes Valley player of the year

Coach of the year--Rich Allen (North Hollywood)