NOTEBOOK / GARY KLEIN : Azusa Pacific Earns Top Ranking in NAIA Men’s Basketball Poll

The Azusa Pacific men’s basketball team made history this week when the Cougars moved into the top spot in the National Assn. of Intercollegiate Athletics Division I poll.

It is the first time that Azusa Pacific has occupied the No. 1 position.

The Cougars, under second-year Coach Bill Odell, entered Tuesday night’s game against Cal Baptist with a 19-2 record and 5-0 mark in the Golden State Athletic Conference.

Azusa Pacific was ranked fourth last week but moved to the top of the rankings when Oklahoma City, Wisconsin-Stevens Point and Pfeiffer of North Carolina were defeated in upsets.

“It’s a nice honor, but in no way do we think we have arrived,” Odell said. “We’re not here because of the play of one or two players. We’re here because different people have been stepping up and contributing to the success.”

The Cougars, who have a 10-game winning streak, play at Southern California College Saturday night.

Pomona High guard Joe Phears set a Southern Section record last Friday when he made 14 three-point baskets in a 137-101 victory over Bassett.

Phears, a senior, made eight three-point baskets in the first half and six in the second to break the record of 13 set last season by Rick Martinez of Ambassador Christian in Fontana.

The first half of play in the California Collegiate Athletic Assn. men’s basketball schedule was completed last weekend with Cal State Los Angeles in fourth place and Cal Poly Pomona in fifth.

Cal State L.A. entered the week 12-5 and 4-3 in conference after losing to Pomona, 68-61. The victory improved Pomona’s record to 10-9 and 3-4 in the CCAA. Cal State Bakersfield (19-0, 7-0) is in first place, followed by UC Riverside (14-5, 5-2) and Cal State Dominguez Hills (13-5, 4-3).

Tony McGee of Cal State L.A. is the conference’s leading scorer at 21.5 points a game. The Golden Eagles play at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo on Friday and at Bakersfield on Saturday.

Pomona plays at Bakersfield on Friday and at San Luis Obispo on Saturday.

In women’s basketball, Pomona entered the week in first place at 16-2 and 4-1 in conference. The Broncos, ranked 10th in Division II, play host to Dominguez Hills tonight and Cal State L.A. on Saturday. Pomona center Mildred Conston is third in the conference in scoring at 19.5 points a game.

The Azusa Pacific baseball team, coming off its second consecutive NAIA District 3 championship, opens its season today at Cal Poly Pomona.

The Cougars, under Coach Tony Barbone, finished 35-13 last season. Key returning players include senior first baseman Jeff Crockett, who batted .410, and senior third baseman Pedro Carranza, who hit 11 home runs. Senior right-hander John Brookman (7-2, 3.41 earned-run average) is the team’s top returning pitcher.

Former major league All-Star Albie Pearson will be inducted into the El Monte Union High School District Sports Hall of Fame during ceremonies on Feb. 10.

Pearson, who graduated from El Monte in 1952 and also played at Mt. San Antonio College, played in the major leagues with the Washington Senators, Baltimore Orioles and Angels.

Information: (818) 443-9491.

A fund-raiser basketball game between the Duarte High coaching staff and a team of current and former professional football players that is expected to include Lester Hayes and Charles White will be played Feb. 12 at Duarte High.

Proceeds from the game will benefit the Duarte wrestling program.

Information: (818) 358-1191.

The city of Pasadena is sponsoring a golf tournament Feb. 12 at Brookside Golf Course.

The tournament, open to the public, will feature a scramble format. Awards and lunch will follow the tournament. Proceeds from the tournament will benefit Pasadena’s United Way-Brotherhood Crusade campaign.

Information: (818) 405-4660.

Brookside will also be the site of the Mickey Rooney Celebrity Pro- Am tournament that will be played March 22. All proceeds from the tournament benefit the Los Angeles Mission.

Players and volunteers for the event are being sought.

Information: (818) 304-9768.

Cal State Los Angeles will induct three former athletes into the school’s Hall of Fame Feb. 19.

Larry Smith, who played tennis at Cal State L.A. from 1957-59, Ken Lohnes (baseball, 1968-70) and Martin Vasquez (soccer, 1981- 84) will be honored at a banquet at the Tower Restaurant in the Transamerica building in downtown Los Angeles.

Information: (213) 343-3080.

Jim Hanifan, offensive line coach for the Washington Redskins, and Doc Sooter, a former basketball coach at Covina High, will be inducted into the Covina High Hall of Fame on Feb. 26.

Tickets are available through the school’s Associated Student Body Office.

Information: (818) 339-8359.

A pro-am celebrity tennis and golf tournament that will benefit shelters for battered women and children will be played April 30 and May 1 at La Verne Country Club.

Tournament proceeds will aid the WINGS shelters in eastern Los Angeles County and San Bernardino and Riverside counties.

Information: (909) 920-9079 or (818) 960-2995