1994 PREP BASKETBALL : The Best of the Best in High School Hoops : Boys: Seven of 10 powerhouses on City Times’ all-star team have won Division I scholarships. Toby Bailey of Loyola makes his fourth team appearance.

There’s no doubt about it.

When it comes to producing outstanding high school basketball players, the Los Angeles area ranks among the best. And the 1994 City Times’ boys’ all-star team is no exception: Seven of the 10 players have received Division I scholarships.

Leading the list is Toby Bailey of Loyola, who is making his fourth consecutive appearance on the area all-star team. Bailey, who guided the Cubs to the Southern Section Division I semifinals, was the first recruit to sign this year with UCLA. Crenshaw’s Kristaan Johnson, who was the City Times’ 1993 Player of the Year, became only the third Cougar in school history to sign with the Bruins.

Other players to receive Division I scholarships are: Crenshaw guard Tommie Davis (Houston), Crenshaw forward Tremaine Fowlkes (California), Fremont guard Calvin Patterson (Loyola Marymount), Manual Arts forward David Rickenbacker (San Diego State) and Washington forward Dayron Harris (Cal State Long Beach).

The April signing period began Wednesday, and that list may grow to include all 10 players. As of Friday, Andre Miller of Verbum Dei had narrowed his choices to Utah, Long Beach State and the University of San Diego, while Ricky Blackmon was considering an offer from Cal State Sacramento.

Selections were based on a poll of area coaches and Times sportswriters.

The boys’ and girls’ all-star teams, along with their parents and coaches, will be guests of City Times at an awards breakfast at 9 a.m. April 24 at the University Hilton, soon to be the Crowne Plaza, near USC. Winners of the City Times’ Player and Coach of the Year awards will be announced at the breakfast.

Here’s a closer look at the all-stars:

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Toby Bailey, Loyola--One of the top five recruits in the state. The only player ever to start four seasons under Coach Bill Thomason, Bailey holds most of the school’s scoring and rebounding records. The 6-foot-6 forward is the Cubs’ top outside shooter (51.3% from the field), but was moved inside this season because the team lacked height. Bailey averaged 22.5 points, 11.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists while leading Loyola to the Southern Section Division I semifinals, where the Cubs lost to Mater Dei Santa Ana. He was selected to three preseason all-tournament teams, first-team Southern Section Division I and two postseason national all-star games.

Ricky Blackmon, Dorsey--Considered a late bloomer by recruiters, Blackmon was the leading scorer (22.2 points), and second-leading rebounder (6.2) for the Dons, who reached the City Section 4-A finals for the second consecutive year. Blackmon is considered a slashing-type player, preferring to drive to the basket. But he can shoot well from 20 feet and in. The 6-1 guard made the City 4-A team and is being recruited by Cal State Sacramento and Humboldt State, a Division II school.

Joe Covarrubias, Huntington Park--Covarrubias developed into one of the area’s top point guards and was selected to the City 4-A team. He averaged 20.1 points, 3.8 rebounds and 6.7 assists. The 6-1 senior became more of an offensive force this season, using his ball-handling skills to lure double coverage and throwing passes to open teammates. He is also an outstanding shooter from three-point range.

Tommie Davis, Crenshaw--The most controversial story this season involved Davis’ transfer from Fremont to Crenshaw. The 5-9 senior, who averaged double figures in points and assists, is considered one of the top 15 point guards in the nation and was also selected to the City 4-A team. Davis’ most exciting play was setting up Tremaine Fowlkes for a dunk with an alley-oop pass.

Tremaine Fowlkes, Crenshaw--Selected City 4-A Player of the Year, Fowlkes was the leading scorer (25.5 points) and rebounder (15.8) for the Cougars. A gifted small forward, the 6-7 senior was forced to play center and power forward after Leon Watson injured his shoulder. Fowlkes was runner-up to Jelani Gardner of St. John Bosco for Cal Hi Sports Magazine’s State Player of the Year.

Dayron Harris, Washington--Physically the strongest player in the area, the 6-4 Harris was also recruited to play football by Division I schools even though he never played the sport in high school. Harris scored most of his points from inside, but could hit the medium-range jump shot when the game was on the line. Also selected to the City 4-A team for the second consecutive season.

Kristaan Johnson, Crenshaw--Although he sometimes appears awkward with the ball, Johnson, who averaged 23.3 points and 9.2 rebounds, was one of the toughest players to defend, especially when he backed his way toward the basket. Johnson, who transferred from Montclair Prep, became one of the first players ever selected to the Southern Section first team (1992) and to a City 4-A team (1993, 1994). Johnson was named the City 4-A and The Times’ Central City Player of the Year last year. Playing to a higher level during championship games, Johnson will best be remembered for the last-second shot he made to beat Mater Dei Santa Ana in the 1993 State Southern California Regionals.

Andre Miller, Verbum Dei--The Southern Section Division IV Player of the Year, Miller averaged 23.5 points, seven rebounds and four assists while leading the Eagles to a Southern Section title. But those statistics are misleading because Miller rarely played more than three quarters, while Verbum Dei won most of its games by lopsided scores. The 6-2 guard was explosive on the fast break and could score from anywhere within 25 feet. He was an unselfish team player and an outstanding passer.

Calvin (Beaver) Patterson, Fremont--The 6-2 swingman gave opposing teams headaches because he was too fast to be covered by a taller player and too strong to be defended by someone his size. With a 24.5-point average, Patterson was the area’s best pure shooter. Another City 4-A selection, Patterson guided Fremont to the City 4-A semifinals and a surprise wild-card berth in the state playoffs.

David Rickenbacker, Manual Arts--Rickenbacker was another devastating inside player whose strength and quickness were hard to stop. He averaged 21.5 points, 9.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists while leading the Toilers to the best record in the Coastal Conference. Selected to the City Times’ second team last season, Rickenbacker improved his shooting range and defense to become one of the area’s most versatile forwards.

BOYS’ ALL-STAR TEAM

Name: Toby Bailey School: Loyola Year: Senior Points: 22.5

Name: Tremaine Fowlkes School: Crenshaw Year: Senior Points: 25.5

Name: Kristaan Johnson School: Crenshaw Year: Senior Points: 23.3

Name: Dayron Harris School: Washington Year: Senior Points: 20

Name: Andre Miller School: Verbum Dei Year: Senior Points: 23

Name: Calvin Patterson School: Fremont Year: Senior Points: 24.5

Name: David Rickenbacker School: Manual Arts Year: Senior Points: 21.5

Name: Joe Covarrubias School: Huntington Park Year: Senior Points: 20.1

Name: Ricky Blackmon School: Dorsey Year: Senior Points: 22.2

Name: Tommie Davis School: Crenshaw Year: Senior Points: 9

CITY TIMES SECOND TEAMS

Members of boys’ second-team rosters for the 1993-94 season, and their point averages:

NAME SCHOOL YEAR HEIGHT AVG. Jamal Cobbs Verbum Dei Senior 5-8 18.0 Anthony Martin Jefferson Senior 5-9 22.0 Clem Breedlove Jordan Junior 5-11 20.0 Reggie McFerren Crenshaw Senior 6-6 19.3 Terrell McKnight Dorsey Senior 5-9 14.0 John Thompson Manual Arts Senior 6-4 20.1 Jae Yun Belmont Senior 6-2 19.6 Jerry Espinoza Bell Senior 6-4 20.0 Gerardo Roman Lincoln Senior 6-2 25.0 Mario Hernandez Roosevelt Senior 5-9 15.0