NOTEBOOK : Johnson and Grice Named Best in City Basketball

He often is referred to as the son of former NBA and UCLA star Marques Johnson, but Kristaan Johnson made a name for himself this season as the best basketball player in the city. Johnson, who guided the Crenshaw Cougars to the State Division I title, and Cougar Coach Willie West will be honored today as the Times’ Central City boys’ player and coach of the year.

Cathleen Grice and Major Dennis of Crenshaw High have been selected as the girls’ player and coach of the year. Grice, a 5-6 senior guard, averaged 19.3 points and 7.2 assists to help the Cougars (25-3) win the City 4-A title.

They will receive their awards during an awards ceremony at the University Hilton in Los Angeles. Also honored will be the Central City boys’ and girls’ first teams.

Johnson, who averaged 22.6 points and 14 rebounds, was named state junior player of the year by Cal-Hi Sports, and the City Section 4-A player of the year.

West guided the Cougars to a 26-2 record, their fifth state championship and 12th City Section title.

Under Dennis, the Crenshaw girls have compiled a 216-54 record during the past 12 seasons, winning the 3-A title in 1985. The Cougars have also won eight league titles and at least 17 victories each season.

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Fast times at Arcadia High--Michael Granville of Bell Gardens set a freshman national record of 1:51:16 to win the 800 meters in the Arcadia Invitational last weekend.

Granville, 15, took more than four seconds off his personal best to hold off national scholastic indoor champion Avondre Armour of Bakersfield and break the six-year-old mark of 1:53:06.

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Boxing--Salvador Jasso of Bell and Lamen Brewster of Los Angeles advanced to the Southern California finals of Golden Gloves competition.

Jasso, 132 pounds, won his first match by a unanimous decision over Jesse Valdez of Azusa. Fighting in the heavyweight division, Brewster defeated Anthony Meyers of Carson by a unanimous decision.

The two boxers fought Saturday night in the Southern California finals at the Lincoln Park Recreation Center. If they win, they will compete in the California State Championships Saturday at Lincoln Park.

The Golden Glove Tournament of Champions will be May 10-15 in Little Rock, Ark.

Kirby Lee and Sean Waters contributed to this report.