HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL : 1991 ALL-VALLEY TEAMS : FIRST-TEAM PROFILES

BOYS’ COACH OF THE YEAR

Jim Woodard, Taft: Often, this award goes to the coach of a team that won a City or Southern Section title, set school records for victories and breezed to a league title. Woodard’s Taft team did none of those things in 1990-91. So is this a consolation prize? Hardly. In his 10-year career, Woodard has set high standards for integrity while serving as the area’s basketball conscience in a sport that seems to needs one. He also has been able to win games. Although Woodard’s teams often seem undersized and outgunned, they keep posting respectable records. Woodard has posted a 140-79 record in 10 seasons, and 1990-91 was representative of his career. No Taft player made the All-Valley first-team and only junior guard Casey Sheahan was a second-team pick. Still, the Toreadors were 15-8 last season and only an overtime loss to Cleveland in the last game of the regular season prevented Taft from winning a North Valley League title.

BOYS’ PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Jerry Allen, Granada Hills: Allen not only earned the MVP award of the North Valley League and the area’s top individual award, he could have been named the area’s most improved player. Allen emerged from relative obscurity to lead Granada Hills to an 18-6 record. As a junior, he averaged all of 7.6 points a game. But after an ambitious self-improvement regimen over the summer, he returned to Granada Hills and instantly made an impression. He was named MVP of the North Hollywood tournament and became the area’s best all-around player. Allen, who is leaning toward playing at Ventura College next season, averaged 22.3 points and 13.5 rebounds and still handed out 5.9 assists a game.

BOYS’ ALL-VALLEY FIRST TEAM

Marquis Burns, Reseda: With the transfer of Cleveland’s Brandon Martin, Burns and North Hollywood’s Robert Hill shape up as the top returning players among area City teams next season. Burns was named the West Valley League MVP after leading Reseda to the league title and a 13-9 overall record. He averaged 20.0 points, 9.0 rebounds and 2.1 steals and was an All-City 3-A Division selection.

Kenny Collins, Cleveland: Although teammate Brandon Martin and Jerry Allen of Granada Hills got the votes for the MVP of the North Valley League, many believe that Collins made Cleveland move this season. Collins directed the Cavaliers’ running game and pushed Cleveland to the league title and a 19-7 overall record. He ranked as perhaps the area’s top point guard and averaged 17.1 points a game.

Marty Downen, Hart: A big reason Hart won its first Foothill League title since 1984 was the inside play of Downen, who teamed with Keith Halcovich and Ali Peek to give the Indians a formidable front line. Downen earned the league’s MVP award and averaged a team-high 16.8 points. He also averaged 8.3 rebounds and 1.5 steals a game.

Robert Hill, North Hollywood: No one expected North Hollywood to repeat as City 3-A champion without Dana Jones, who graduated and plays at Pepperdine. But Hill helped the Huskies make a surprising title run, pushing North Hollywood to the championship game. One of the most well-rounded players in the area, Hill averaged 18.6 points, 7.4 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 5.5 steals. He also earned All-City honors as a point guard and returns next season as the Huskies shoot for a third consecutive berth in the 3-A final.

Brandon Martin, Cleveland: Just Cleveland’s luck. For the first time since Trevor Wilson (Atlanta Hawks) played for the Cavaliers in 1985-86, a Cleveland player averaged more than 20 points a game. But Martin will take his shooting touch to Washington next season, transferring because of differences with Coach Kevin Crider. Martin, who averaged 24.9 points a game, was an All-City 4-A selection. He will be one of the City’s top college recruits next season.

Sean Martin, Agoura: Agoura’s point guard moves up from last season’s All-Valley second team. Although some might doubt his listed height at 6-feet, few question his shooting ability. He averaged 25.3 points, 5.2 assists and 1.7 steals for the surprising Chargers. In Agoura’s up-and-down season, Martin was one constant. The Chargers moved up from the Frontier League to the Marmonte League and posted a 15-9 record.

G. C. Marcaccini, Notre Dame: Marcaccini overcame a late start in basketball to lead the Knights to the Mission League title, a 23-5 record and a berth in the Southern Section III-A Division playoffs. Although he did not play organized basketball until the ninth grade, Marcaccini quickly assimilated the game. He averaged 20.4 points, 8.9 rebounds and 4.4 assists en route to winning the league MVP award.

Chris Young, Quartz Hill: Quartz Hill gave retiring Coach Don Moore the school’s first outright Golden League basketball title as a going-away present, largely because of the play of Young. He was the MVP of three tournaments, led the league in scoring and steals and capped the season with the league’s MVP award. Only 6-feet, he is a good leaper who capped a Golden League win over Antelope Valley with a 360-degree dunk. Young, an off-guard who specialized in sinking winning three-point baskets at the buzzer, averaged 20.6 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 4.4 steals.

Greg Yumbar, Saugus: After posting a disappointing 5-5 record in Golden League play, Saugus launched an improbable run in the playoffs. The Centurions won four in a row and reached the I-A Division semifinals before faltering. Yumbar’s season reflected the team’s playoff run. He averaged 17.4 points overall, 21 in the playoffs. The 6-5 Yumbar, an intimidating player in the post, also averaged 9.4 rebounds and helped the Centurions to a 20-9 record.

GIRLS’ COACH OF THE YEAR

Rich Allen, North Hollywood: His job title might read North Hollywood High girls’ basketball coach, but Allen adds much to the job description. The self-described spokesman for girls’ basketball in the area has assumed the role of the sport’s ambassador with gusto. Allen can deliver a thumbnail sketch on every star player in the area and rarely misses a chance to promote the sport. In addition, he still has time to coach one of the area’s most consistent winners. Allen has a 123-38 record in eight seasons with the Huskies, including a 23-5 mark in 1990-91. He has led North Hollywood to five league titles, including a share of the Mid-Valley League title the past season, and twice his teams have advanced to the City 3-A final.

GIRLS’ PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Anjanette Dionne, Hart: Hart rooters still hold out hope that they have not seen the last of Dionne. After three exceptional seasons with the Indians, Dionne has moved to Oregon with her family and is expected to finish her high school career there. But if she changes her mind and returns to Hart for one more season, Coach Dave Munroe will welcome her with open arms. Dionne, the two-time Valley player of the year, has led Hart to three consecutive Foothill League titles and a Southern Section 5-A championship (1989-90). As a junior, she averaged 20.2 points, 4.5 rebounds and 6.1 assists for the Indians (22-6).

GIRLS’ ALL-VALLEY FIRST TEAM

Latisha Beam, Palmale: Palmdale has won three consecutive Golden League titles, posting a 28-2 league record in that stretch, and with Beam and fellow sophomore Kim Schielke back for two more seasons, the Falcons’ hold on the league seems secure. Beam teamed with Schielke, another All-Valley pick, to lead Palmdale to a 23-6 record. Beam averaged 12.7 points and 9.1 rebounds.

Rachel Corelli, Alemany: Corelli might have spent time in Coach Melissa Melton’s doghouse during the season, but the repeat All-Valley selection emerged in time to help lead the Indians to the Mission League title and a 19-8 overall record. Despite a late-season suspension, the fiery Corelli posted solid numbers. She averaged 16.2 points, 4.4 rebounds and 4.6 assists.

Maria Costa, Chaminade: The diminutive point guard (5-1) helped Chaminade launch an impressive run in the playoffs. After a mediocre Mission League campaign, the Eagles soared into the Southern Section IV-AA Division semifinals before losing to Morro Bay. Costa averaged 15 points and eight rebounds during the regular season and 17 points and five assists in the playoffs.

Karleen Cox, L. A. Baptist: Cox so impressed Alpha League coaches that she was named the league’s MVP even though the Knights finished second in league play behind Western Christian. Cox led L. A. Baptist to a 15-6 record and a quarterfinal berth in the Southern Section IV-A playoffs. The three-year starter filled all roles for the Knights, scoring inside and outside, controlling the boards and also handling the ball on the perimeter. She averaged 18.7 points and 10.5 rebounds and added three assists and three steals a game.

Sarah Guziel, Alemany: Alemany’s second representative on the team, Guziel joins Corelli, a fellow 11th-grader and All-Valley selection, to make the Indians the prohibitive favorite to repeat as Mission League champion next season. Guziel, the league MVP, averaged 16.3 points and 12.2 rebounds and controlled the middle on defense, averaging 5.6 blocks.

Kim Schielke, Palmdale: Like Alemany, Palmdale boasts two representatives on the All-Valley team. Schielke and Beam intend to improve next season on Palmdale’s disappointing showing in the playoffs. The Falcons fell in the first round, but Schielke averaged 12.3 points, 7.4 rebounds and four assists for a 23-9 team.

Suzi Shimoyama, North Hollywood: North Hollywood is the third team with two All-Valley representatives as Shimoyama, a second-teal selection last year, joins Jacinda Sweet on the first team this year. Shimoyama was the Huskies’ top defensive player and second-best offensive player behind Sweet. Shimoyama averaged 11.7 points, 5.8 assists and 6.5 steals.

Jacinda Sweet, North Hollywood: A close runner-up to Dionne as player of the year, Sweet capped a brilliant career at North Hollywood with another exceptional season. The repeat selection from last season led the Huskies to a 23-5 record. She averaged 21.2 points, 11.7 rebounds and 4.8 assists. She will take her game next season to Arizona, which she will attend on scholarship.

Huong Thai, Van Nuys: Thai joins Dionne, Corelli and Sweet as repeat selections and also joins them in the 5-foot club. A year ago, she stood only 4-11 as she helped lead Van Nuys to the City 4-A final. As a senior, she averaged 12.2 points, 3.0 rebounds and 7.4 assists. Thai helped the Wolves earn a split in a two-game series with North Hollywood and a share of the Mid-Valley League title.

ALL-VALLEY BASKETBALL SECOND TEAMS

Boys

Pos Name School Ht Yr Avg C John Brown Vill. Christian 6-7 Sr. 26.9 F Andres Carlo Harvard 6-5 Sr. 14.5 G Mike Crawford Van Nuys 6-1 Sr. 20.7 F Richard Dice Alemany 6-3 Jr. 19.4 C Jason Grimes Palmdale 6-7 Sr. 15.6 F Rasaan Hall Crespi 6-4 Sr. 21.2 G Jermaine Nixon Canyon 6-3 Sr. 19.4 G Austin McKellar Campbell Hall 6-0 Jr. 16.6 F Brunell Mori Grant 6-4 Sr. 12.8 G Casey Sheahan Taft 6-1 Jr. 16.6

Girls

Pos Name School Ht Yr Avg F Carol Gruhlke Hart 6-0 Sr. 13.5 G Melissa Hansen Granada Hills 5-7 Sr. 16.2 F Shaneya Harris Kennedy 5-10 So. 22.4 C Pam Horst Cleveland 6-0 Sr. 19.0 G Charley Johnson Quartz Hill 5-8 Sr. 16.4 C Soo Joon Canoga Park 5-10 Sr. 16.0 G Christina Muller St. Genevieve 5-8 Sr. 20.3 G Lillian Stanford Sylmar 5-4 Sr. 20.5 G Alissa Tishler Taft 5-1 Jr. 12.8 F Monique Young Grant 5-8 Sr. 13.1

ALL-VENTURA COUNTY BASKETBALL TEAMS

Boys

Pos Name School Ht Yr Avg F Chris Loll* Thousand Oaks 6-5 1/2 Sr. 25.1 F Stevie Amar Santa Clara 6-4 Jr. 12.6 G Stephane Brown Channel Isl. 6-2 Sr. 21.4 C Jared Byrne Royal 6-7 Sr. 13.4 G Brian Capella Thousand Oaks 6-4 Sr. 10.1 F Chris Cole Santa Clara 6-4 Jr. 9.6 G Lance Fay Buena 6-0 Jr. 20.7 G David Harbour Camarillo 6-3 Sr. 26.9 F Tim Sebek Nordhoff 6-3 Jr. 21.6 G Dave Tyner Royal 6-2 Sr. 16.2

* denotes Ventura County player of the year

Coach of the year--Don Salado (Channel Islands)

Girls

Pos Name School Ht Yr Avg G Michelle Palmisano* Thou. Oaks 5-9 Jr. 24.6 F Candis Carper Channel Isl. 5-11 Sr. 14.2 G Cori Herman Ventura 5-7 Sr. 16.4 G Lianne Ishikawa Buena 5-3 Sr. 10.2 G Marion Jones Rio Mesa 5-9 1/2 So. 24.2 G Dani O’Byrne Westlake 5-9 Sr. 16.0 F Mia Palkie Buena 5-8 Sr. 13.7 F Denise Rea Ventura 5-9 Jr. 11.3 C Sasha Scardino Thou. Oaks 5-9 Jr. 10.3 C Sal Tauau Channel Isl. 6-0 Sr. 22.5

* denotes Ventura County player of the year

Coach of the year--Chuck Brown (Thousand Oaks)