High School Banquet Has Major-Event Feel : Recruiting: Unsigned stars O’Bannon and Jones are focus of attention at fete honoring Lakewood Artesia’s champion basketball team.

They streamed through the doors at the Centre at Sycamore Plaza in Lakewood, bedecked in attire befitting prom night. This was, after all, the social event of the Southern California basketball postseason--the Artesia High boys’ award banquet.

The affair had the ambience of a grand jubilee because when it comes to college recruiting, well, anything goes.

What attracted some major college coaches, a dozen reporters and live television broadcasts were two talented teens--Charles O’Bannon and Avondre Jones.

Where they attend school next fall has become overbearingly big news. Thus, their senior basketball awards banquet became larger than life Thursday evening when some 300 attended at $22 per person.

What made the evening more dramatic, and what attracted so much press, was the fact that O’Bannon, a 6-foot-6 forward, is expected to announce his decision at 6:30 p.m. today on a Long Beach cable program and sports-talk radio station XTRA (690).

The leading candidates are Kentucky and UCLA. So, it was not surprising that Kentucky Coach Rick Pitino was the guest speaker and UCLA Coach Jim Harrick was sitting at a table close to the podium.

Jones, a 6-11 center, is considering Arizona, Michigan, USC and UCLA. Arizona’s Lute Olson, Michigan’s Steve Fisher and USC assistant Charlie Parker were in attendance. Of the three, only Fisher sat at the head table with Pitino, the Artesia coaches and selected media members.

In an era of athletic reform, this gala seemed excessive for a high school team, even one as talented as Artesia. The Pioneers won three State Division II championships during the four seasons O’Bannon and Jones played there.

The coaches, it seems, are resigned to the notion that they must grovel before the big-time prep players in the name of recruiting. It is the kind of cutthroat game that is secretly played off the court.

“If we weren’t here, we’d be someplace else,” said Fisher, who will speak at a clinic in Las Vegas today.

Considering the impact O’Bannon and Jones could have on a coach’s program, it is understandable that the big names were there. And why there were whispers about the absence of USC Coach George Raveling.

Orchestrating the show was Wayne Merino, who built Artesia into a state power. But was he playing the role of recruiting power broker as well by placing some coaches at the head table and others on the floor?

Merino said before the banquet that Pitino was invited to be the school’s guest speaker a year ago. He wanted to make it clear that Pitino’s appearance the day before O’Bannon announced his decision was coincidental.

Pitino said he was asked to speak four months ago, but downplayed his oracle.

“The speech won’t have any bearing on recruiting,” Pitino said.

Although the NCAA has strict rules governing recruiting, these types of contacts are legal. Some wondered how Pitino, heavily recruiting O’Bannon, could speak at the banquet.

“At Kentucky, we’re very in tune (of the rules),” said Pitino, who led the Wildcats to the Final Four last season.

Pitino had his final contact with O’Bannon at O’Bannon’s home Thursday. He is flying to North Carolina today and will await the player’s decision from there.

Charles O’Bannon, who entered the building flanked by his brother, Ed, a UCLA forward, and their dates, said he enjoyed the attention. But privately, he told friends that it was difficult to enjoy his senior awards presentation when hounded by so many reporters.

O’Bannon, who earned a 4.0 grade-point average in the fall semester, understands the ramifications of his decision. His parents, Ed Sr. and Madeline, want him to attend UCLA with his brother. His decision could affect UCLA’s future recruiting power.

Jones, on the other hand, said he will not make a decision for a couple of weeks. He kept a low profile Thursday. When he arrived at the Sycamore Plaza, he tried to make himself presentable by putting on a tie in the parking lot.

A Pauley Pavilion usher who attended the banquet spotted him and offered assistance.

Simply a kind gesture for the kind of player the Bruins desperately need.