1993 PREP BASKETBALL LOS ANGELES TIMES ALL-STARS : Sandoz Makes Presence Felt on 10-Member Girls All-Star Team

Pius X forward Sherise Sandoz, the lone returning player on The Times’ 1993 Southeast Girls High School All-Star Basketball Team, was in a class by herself this season. A 5-foot-8 senior who crashed the backboards more like a 6-foot center, Sandoz leads the all-star team in scoring, with an average of 25.2 points, and rebounding, with an average of 14.7.

That is especially impressive because the 10-member team is dominated by post players. Santa Fe’s Laura Berg is the only true guard and, at 5 feet 7, she was often asked to rebound.

In ballots turned in by coaches, Sandoz was the top vote-getter. “She is a real presence,” St. Paul Coach Paul Zeko said.

The all-star team, composed of seven seniors and three juniors, will be honored during a breakfast at 9 a.m. Sunday at the Sheraton Hotel in Long Beach.

The team is made up of players from Southeast Los Angeles County schools in a general area bordered by the 10, 91, 710 and 605 freeways, and also including parts of Lakewood. It was chosen primarily on the basis of ballots cast by area coaches.

The Southeast team:

TRACY MENDOZA, Pioneer--The guiding force on the Whitmont League title team, she set school records for rebounding in a season, 276, and in a game, 23. The 6-foot senior center averaged 14.8 points and 12 rebounds, and scored in double figures in 21 of 24 games. “Tracy is a strong inside player at the low post with exceptional offensive skills,” Coach Richard Bergenthal said.

KIM MASON, La Serna--An all-Whitmont League choice at center, the 5-10 senior averaged 14.2 points and 6.3 rebounds, despite problems with her left knee. She said she will have surgery later this year. She has been accepted at Fresno State and might try to walk on as a player there if her knee heals in time.

LAURA BERG, Santa Fe--The 5-7 senior guard averaged 20 points and was the most valuable player in the Whitmont League. “She was very intense, with quickness on defense, and really smart,” said Mendoza, her Pioneer opponent. She was one of the top vote-getters on the all-star team, and the player who drew the most comments from opposing coaches. “A team leader,” Glenn Coach Richard Drake said.

MELISSA RIDGE, St. Paul--The 5-7 guard/forward was a pillar of consistency for the 14-10 Swordsmen and figures to be one of the area’s top players next season. The junior averaged 18.2 points and 6.7 rebounds, second in the Del Rey League. More important than her statistics, though, was her attitude. “She gave us leadership,” Coach Zeko said.

SHERISE SANDOZ, Pius X--The Del Rey League champion Warriors were dominating, thanks to the 5-8 forward, who earned first-team CIF Southern Section Division IV honors. “She is versatile, an outstanding rebounder and great leaper,” said Coach Ellis Barfield of state champion Lynwood High.

BONNIE TREJO, Downey--A 6-foot forward/center, the senior was voted to three all-tournament teams in the preseason. She averaged 12.3 points, 10.5 rebounds and 4.2 blocked shots on a 16-10 team. Seven of those losses came to teams that advanced to at least the semifinals of the Southern Section playoffs.

JULIE BOUMA, Valley Christian--The 5-11 center averaged 13.6 points and 6.7 rebounds in helping the Crusaders to a Southern Section Division IV-A title, the sixth for Coach Eleanor Dykstra. “Julie was not the typical, strong post-up player we have had in the past, but she was very quick and knew where to go,” Dykstra said.

AISHA VEASLEY, Valley Christian-- “Very quick, a great leaper and great defender,” Dykstra said of the 5-8 1/2 forward, who averaged 13.1 points and 9.8 rebounds, and made the Division IV first team. A junior, she made 4.4 steals per game and shot 58% from the floor.

TARA KNESEL, Bellflower--The co-MVP of the Suburban League averaged 13 points and 12.5 rebounds a game. She also had 2.5 steals and blocked 20 shots in 10 league contests. An up-and-coming 6-1 junior center, she could be one of the area’s best next year.

EBONY CHARLES, Artesia--She shared Suburban League MVP honors with Knesel and drew praise from opposing coaches. “She’s a kid that can rebound and score,” said Valley Christian’s Dykstra. “An excellent scorer,” said Glenn’s Drake. The 6-foot senior center averaged 20.6 points.

Girls Name: Laura Berg School: Santa Fe Year: Senior Height: 5-7 Avg.: 20.0 *Name: Tracy Mendoza School: Pioneer Year: Senior Height: 6-0 Avg.: 14.8 *Name: Kim Mason School: La Serna Year: Senior Height: 5-10 Avg.: 14.2 *Name: Melissa Ridge School: St. Paul Year: Junior Height: 5-7 Avg.: 18.2 *Name: Sherise Sandoz School: Pius X Year: Senior Height: 5-8 Avg.: 25.2 *Name: Bonnie Trejo School: Downey Year: Senior Height: 6-0 Avg.: 12.3 *Name: Aisha Veasley School: Valley Christian Year: Junior Height: 5-9 Avg.: 13.1 *Name: Julie Bouma School: Valley Christian Year: Senior Height: 5-11 Avg.: 13.6 *Name: Tara Knesel School: Bellflower Year: Junior Height: 6-1 Avg.: 13.0 *Name: Ebony Charles School: Artesia Year: Senior Height: 6-0 Avg.: 20.6