SPORTS NOTEBOOK : Versatile Carrion Plans Transfer Out of Dorsey

Multi-sport star Antonio Carrion plans to transfer out of Dorsey High School during the holiday break and is expected to play basketball at his new school.

Carrion, who was Dorsey’s best receiver in football and was voted one of three Most Valuable Players in the Southern Pacific Conference this past season, said he plans to transfer back to Crenshaw, his neighborhood school, or move in with his aunt and attend Granada Hills High in the San Fernando Valley.

“I will most likely move back to Crenshaw because that’s my home school,” Carrion said. “I spoke with (Crenshaw basketball) Coach Willie West and he said I could come back and play if I want to.”

The 5-foot-9 senior played basketball during the summer and helped Dorsey win the Watts Summer Games championship.

But Carrion, who lives with his grandmother within Crenshaw’s attendance boundaries, has not played high school basketball since his sophomore year. He played for Crenshaw when he was a sophomore and was a backup guard to Kevin Ollie, who now starts for the University of Connecticut.

Carrion was not allowed to play football at Crenshaw because he was on the Cougar basketball team. He wanted to play both sports and was granted an opportunity to transfer to Dorsey. That transfer was canceled Dec. 18 at the end of the fall semester, according to a Crenshaw coach.

Carrion, considered one of the state’s top football recruits, also said his other option would be to move to his aunt’s house in Granada Hills. According to Carrion, his studies have been disrupted because of the numerous calls he receives from college recruiters and newspaper reporters at his grandmother’s house.

Carrion failed to score high enough on the Scholastic Aptitude Test in November to meet the minimum for college football eligibility. He said he plans to take the test again after the holiday break.

“I’m new to this recruiting thing and it’s taking up a lot of my time,” Carrion said. “I wasn’t focused on my (Scholastic Aptitude Test) like I should and I need to pass it.”

If Carrion is allowed to play for Crenshaw, he will bolster a starting lineup that already features five transfers. The Cougars have won 10 of their first 12 games.

Dorsey Coach Kevin Gibson still hopes Carrion will return to play for the Dons.

“He said he was coming out (for basketball) last week,” Gibson said. “If he comes back, great. We could use him.”

Said Carrion: “It doesn’t matter where I play basketball. I’m worried about my grades and stuff like that.”

Broadcast news--Crenshaw High football player Kofi Nartey is about to make his broadcasting debut--on ABC’s “Wide World of Sports,” no less.

Nartey was a guest commentator with Dick Vitale when the Harlem Globetrotters visited Crenshaw High on Dec. 18. The team played two exhibition games in the school’s quad area. The games were taped and will be aired on KABC-TV Channel 7 from 4:30 to 6 p.m. on Jan. 16.

Nartey was one of Crenshaw’s top receivers and a returning all-City Section 3-A kicker. He is currently being recruited for a football scholarship by UCLA, California, Stanford and Yale.

Tournament wrap-up--The South Gate High girls’ basketball team defeated Narbonne, 74-72, to win the Garfield tournament Dec. 19. Michelle Gonzalez scored 26 points to help the Rams (5-1) overcome a 23-point first-half deficit and win their fifth game in a row.

Gonzalez, a 5-8 senior forward, scored 60 points in three games and was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player. Freshman Ruby Maciel, who had 20 points in South Gate’s semifinal victory over Wilson and 17 in the final, was also selected to the all-tournament team.

In the Vista tournament, the Fremont High girls’ basketball team reached the championship game, but lost to host Vista, 53-49. The Pathfinders defeated Torrey Pines, 51-49, and Mt. Carmel, 56-48, on their way to the championship.

Soaring Eagle--Tony McGee has helped the Cal State Los Angeles men’s basketball team to six victories in its first seven games. McGee, a 6-8 senior forward, is averaging 24.3 points per game. The Golden Eagles will play in the Cal State Stanislaus tournament on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Streak continues--The Salesian boys’ soccer team ran its home unbeaten streak to 104 when the Mustangs defeated Whittier Christian, 3-1, Monday in a non-league match.

Octavio Ramirez, Jose Preza and Rudy Sarmiento each scored a goal to lead Salesian (5-0-1).

Kirby Lee contributed to this notebook.