Loyola Marymount Gets a Commitment From South Guard : Basketball: Jimmy Williamson, the Pioneer League co-most valuable player, is expected to sign a letter of intent today.

Jimmy Williamson, the South Torrance High point guard who was the catalyst behind the winningest season in school history, gave an unwritten commitment Wednesday to play basketball for Loyola Marymount, the player’s mother said.

Williamson, spending spring break at Lake Havasu, could not be reached for comment. But Janie Williamson said her son spoke with Loyola Coach John Olive and will sign a letter of intent after he returns home today. Wednesday was the first day of the national signing period for prep seniors.

Williamson follows in the footsteps of his father, Duane, who played for Loyola for three seasons and was a first-team all-conference selection as a senior in 1971-72.

The 5-foot-10 Williamson chose Loyola over Fresno State. Those were the only Division I schools that offered him a full scholarship, although others, including USC, showed interest after Williamson led South to a 28-4 record.

Williamson caught the eye of some recruiters with a series of impressive playoff performances. He had 29 points in a 65-62 victory over Bishop Montgomery in the Southern Section Division III-AA semifinals, 24 points in a 65-62 loss to Morningside in the section final, 25 points in a 54-47 victory over San Dimas in the regional semifinals, and 33 points and nine assists in a 91-82 loss to Morningside in the regional final at the Sports Arena. He was the leading scorer in each of those games.

For the season, Williamson averaged 19.5 points and an area-leading 10.3 assists. He was named Pioneer League co-most valuable player with teammate Kyle McIntosh, South’s 6-7 center, and was selected to the All-Division III, All-Southern Section and Times South Bay All-Star teams.

Known for his ballhandling and passing skills, as well as his three-point shooting ability, Williamson should contribute as a freshman at Loyola and contend for starting point guard. The Lions struggled to a 7-20 record last season with junior Bill Mazurie, a converted shooting guard, who played point guard most of the season.

Jim Harris, a 6-foot senior at Ocean View High in Huntington Beach, will be the only other true point guard in the Loyola program next season. Harris committed to the Lions during the one-week signing period in November.

Williamson will join four other former South Bay standouts at Loyola next season--junior forward Zan Mason (Westchester), sophomore forwards Wyking Jones (St. Bernard) and Robin Kirksey (Gardena), and freshman forward John Anthony (Peninsula), who was a redshirt last season.

Loyola announced the baseball signing of Brett Campbell, an outfielder at Peninsula High. Campbell leads Peninsula with a .444 batting average and 15 runs batted in this season.