SPORTS BRIEFS : Scholar-Athletes at 3 Schools Honored

Three area schools have been honored by the CIF Southern Section for academic excellence in their athletic programs.

Players from Whitney High (baseball, girls’ swimming and boys’ track and field), Wilson (golf and gymnastics) and John Glenn (girls’ tennis) had cumulative grade-point averages of 3.0 or better in college prep courses during the first semester of the 1991-92 school year. Their cumulative GPAs ranked first in each sport among Southern Section schools.

College prep courses include communications, English, literature, fine arts, foreign language, mathematics, natural sciences and social sciences.

In addition, 27 area athletes were honored as Southern Section student athletes of the year. They maintained a minimum 3.5 GPA in college prep courses for the past three years, lettered in at least one sport each year and participated in at least one extracurricular activity, such as membership in a service club, band, music or speech.

Boys who were honored: Adam Weister, John Glenn; Brian Pyle, La Serna; Mike Wu, Montebello; Hang Phung, Paramount; David Tzeng, Schurr; Garnett L. Overby, St. Anthony; Anthony Niccoli, St. John Bosco; David Aardema, Valley Christian; Charles McKie, Whitney; David Ray, Whittier; and Michael Kellison, Wilson.

Girls who were honored: Nancy G. Olson, California; Amy Hughlett, Cerritos; Kris Waldorf, Gahr; Hilda Alfaro, Glenn; De Ann R. Machlan, Jordan; Melissa Pignatelli, La Serna; Elva Torres, Millikan; Anabel Arellano, Paramount; Hui-Kyung Tina Kim, Poly; Jackie Wang, Schurr; Carolyn Sy, St. Anthony; Michelle DiRe, St. Joseph; Ann Chen, Valley Christian; Kristen Ebright, Whitney; Jennifer Tanaka, Whittier; and Courtney L. Vaughn, Wilson.

Junior forward Lucious Harris was named the most outstanding player on the Cal State Long Beach men’s basketball team.

A co-captain and three-year starter, Harris led the 49ers (18-12) in scoring (19 points a game) and free-throw shooting (72%). He is third in career scoring and is expected to become the all-time leader next season.

Other players honored include guard Bobby Sears (most assists, co-captain and the Pearl Moore award), forward Bryon Russell (top rebounder and dunk champion), center Chris Tower (most improved and downtown award), reserve guard Jeff Rogers (sixth man), reserve center Jeff Atkinson (academic champion), reserve guard Rod Hannibal (best defender) and reserves Eric Kutas and Mike Victor (49er pride award).

In addition, Coach Seth Greenberg had his contract extended for two seasons.

Senior guard Trise Jackson was named most valuable player on the Cal State Long Beach women’s basketball team.

Jackson, a tri-captain, led the 49ers to a 21-10 record and a berth in the NCAA playoffs for the 10th consecutive season. She also shared the team’s student-athlete award with senior center Kari Parriott.

Other players honored include Parriott (leading rebounder, tri-captain and co-student athlete), center Bolivia Gaytan (co-captain), backup center Danielle Scott (hustle), guard Marshella Harriston (outstanding defender) and reserve forward Sal Tauau (motivational).

The Beach Boys, a boys-under-12 youth soccer team from Long Beach, finished second at the recent California Youth Soccer Assn. State Cup.

Three home games have been added to the remaining nonleague schedule for the Cal State Long Beach baseball team.

Long Beach will host the University of Redlands at 3 p.m. April 29, Cal Poly Pomona at 2:30 p.m. May 5 and Chapman College at 2:30 p.m. May 12.

Coach Steve Fisher of NCAA runner-up Michigan will be the featured speaker when state CIF Southern Section Division II basketball champion Artesia High School holds its team banquet April 23 at Sycamore Plaza Center in Lakewood.

Former Pioneers Ed O’Bannon, now at UCLA, and DeAndre Austin of Fresno State will be honored. The cost is $19 a person. Information: Artesia Coach Wayne Merino (310) 926-5566, Ext. 1-4330.