LOS ANGELES TIMES SPECIAL REPORT : City Times Basketball Playoffs : The Team to Beat : Crenshaw Is Consensus Choice, but Tournament Could Be Competitive With Three New Contenders to the 4-A Division

For more than two decades, Crenshaw’s basketball teams have used their gambling-style defense and fast-break offense to dominate the City 4-A playoffs.

But the City has added three new contenders to the 4-A Division this season, which could make for one of the most competitive tournaments in years.

Perennial 3-A Division powers Fremont, North Hollywood and South Gate are ready to play for higher stakes as they compete in the 4-A playoffs for the first time. Fremont and North Hollywood have combined to win nine 3-A championships, including the last three, while South Gate was a finalist last season.

Two-time defending 4-A champion Westchester also cannot be counted out.

“I think there is a lot of parity among the teams this year,” Crenshaw Coach Willie West said. “I haven’t seen North Hollywood play, but I know they have beaten some teams. I think any team can win on any given day.”

Most coaches agree with West. But when asked to pick a favorite, Crenshaw was the consensus choice.

“Crenshaw is the team to beat and the rest of us will either be fighting to upset them in the semifinals or play them in the finals,” said North Hollywood Coach Steve Miller.

Since the playoffs began a divisional format in 1976, only seven schools have won the 4-A title. Six combined to win nine championships; Crenshaw won the other eight. The Cougars, however, have not won a City championship since 1989. Despite winning 11 titles in 22 years, Crenshaw is 0 for 3 in the ‘90s.

“Those players responsible for the titles are no longer here,” West said. “The kids that are here today have to go up against that tradition and try to match what other players have done.

First-round games begin Wednesday; the quarterfinals are scheduled for Friday. The semifinals and finals will be played March 3 and March 5 at the Sports Arena.

4-A DIVISION

Crenshaw, Southern Pacific--Crenshaw last won a title in 1989, and was the runner-up in 1990 and 1992. The Cougars restocked their 1993 lineup, mostly with transfers, but still do not have a dominating player. Junior forwards Kristaan Johnson (6-4), Tremaine Fowlkes (6-5) and Reggie McFerren (6-6) are capable of scoring 20 or more points and averaging more than 10 rebounds.

Dorsey, Southern Pacific--At the start of the season, the Dons were the team to beat after winning the Watts Summer Games tournament in June. Dorsey has two outstanding guards in 5-9 playmaker Kenya Wilkins, who averages 19.1 points a game and signed early with Oregon, and 6-2 guard Davey Fortson, who averages 21.2 points. Dorsey, however, needs strong performances from at least two of its big players--6-3 Jermel Monroe (11 points), 6-5 forward Taryll Franklin (10 points), 6-4 forward Willie O’Neal (5 points) and 6-2 forward Jovan Colbert (4.2 points).

Fremont, Southeastern--After winning the 3-A title three times in four years, the Pathfinders have moved up. Fremont has two outstanding shooters in 6-2 guard Rickey Brown (18 points, seven rebounds) and 5-8 guard Tommie Davis (16.5 points, seven assists), and two good front court players in 6-7 center Louis Radford (12 points, eight rebounds) and 6-2 forward Calvin Patterson (15 points, 10 rebounds).

Manual Arts, Coastal--Manual Arts has three big guards who pose matchup problems for opponents. Troy Matthews (6-3) averaged 23 points, seven assists and five rebounds during the regular season and Michael Stuart (6-2) averaged nine points, three assists and eight rebounds. Matthews missed five games because of a hyper-extended knee, but guard Soeki Thompson (6-4) was a pleasant surprise during Matthews’ absence, averaging 16.8 points and 5.3 rebounds. David Rickenbacker (6-5) averaged 17 points and 11 rebounds a game.

South Gate, Southeastern--The Rams have been the City’s most underrated team despite beating Fremont in their first meeting. Senior guard Miguel Villegas (6-2), averages 15 points and eight assists. Senior forward Eric Wright (21 points) has returned from a one-year absence caused by an ankle injury and is one of the best scorers in the City. Sai Tuialii (6-6) is a good inside player, averaging 11 rebounds and three blocks a game.

Washington, Southern Pacific--Washington emerged from the holiday tournaments as the best team, but an injury to shooting guard Craig Slaughter (5-11) exposed the Generals’ weakness outside.

OTHERS TO WATCH

Fairfax, Coastal--The Lions are a veteran team--six players have two or more years of varsity experience. Robert Foster, who signed early with Indiana, is probably the best point guard in the City. He averages 14 points, six rebounds and six assists a game.

North Hollywood, Valley Pac-8--The Huskies have three outstanding scorers in 6-5 forward Damon Ollie, who averages 17 points a game, and 5-11 guards Fantasia Johnson (16 points) and Arthur Lee (14 points).

Westchester, Coastal--The Comets are two-time defending champions, but have only one player returning from those teams. Guard Jason Sanders (6-3) averages 15 points and 4.5 assists.

3-A DIVISION

Garfield, Southeastern--The Bulldogs are a strong defensive team and can score from most areas of the court. Senior forward Alex Gomez (6-5), a three-year varsity member, averages 26 points and nine rebounds a game. Forward Frank Aguilar (6-1) averages 20 points and a team-high 11 rebounds.

Jefferson, Southeastern--Jefferson has two three-point threats in guards Anthony Martin (5-9) and Keith Parris (5-9). Forwards John Johnson (6-3) and Jason Weaver (6-3) average more than 10 points a game.

Lincoln, Northern--Ruben Castellanos, a 5-7 guard, averages 24 points a game for the Tigers. Marcelo Ortega, a 6-2 guard/forward, averages about 15. But the team’s stabilizer is 6-3 senior forward Keith Whitner. The Tigers also return R.C. Cantrell, who recovered from an illness to average 12 points and 15 rebounds a game.

OTHERS TO WATCH

Banning, Southern Pacific--The Pilots moved down to the 3-A Division this year. Point guard Jason Pickett (20 points, 4.5 assists) and 6-6 center Bryan Hill (13 points, 13 rebounds, four blocks) are Banning’s top players.

Franklin, Northern--After 10 games, Franklin’s defense got on track and the Panthers became the best team in the conference. Senior forward Tony Delgado (6-3) averages 12 points and seven rebounds.

Monroe, Valley Pac-8--Monroe has four players averaging more than 10 points a game--center Kenyatta Niles (17 points), guard Tweedy Stiner (13), forward Jeff Nadeau (13) and guard LaMarco Rich (11).