1994 PREP BASKETBALL ALL-STARS : GIRLS’ ALL-STARS : Future Appears Bright as Juniors Take Center Stage

The level of play in girls’ high school basketball is improving across the country, and the San Gabriel Valley is no exception.

The 1994 season featured the continued strength of programs such as Diamond Bar, Wilson and Rio Hondo Prep, plus the emergence of other schools, such as San Gabriel and Bishop Amat.

Individual performances, too, seem to be improving each season. And they figure to get even better in the coming seasons as younger players continue to emerge in the San Gabriel Valley.

Four of the 10 players selected to The Times’ 1994 San Gabriel Valley All-Star Team are juniors; several sophomores and freshmen figure to earn similar recognition next season.

Every boys’ and girls’ high school basketball coach in The Times’ San Gabriel Valley circulation area received a ballot asking for nominations from their team and others. They were also asked to nominate a coach of the year.

The selected players, along with their parents and coaches, will be guests of The Times at an awards breakfast at 9 a.m. Sunday at the Holiday Inn in Pasadena. Winners of the San Gabriel Valley player and coach of the year awards will be announced at the breakfast.

A closer look at the all-stars:

Adrienne Davis (Covina)--Davis, a 5-foot-8 guard/forward, averaged 16 points and seven rebounds and helped lead the Colts into the Southern Section playoffs. On their ballots, coaches consistently noted her all-round play.

Joyce-Ann Garcia (San Gabriel)--Garcia, the Matadors’ junior point guard, averaged 20.4 points and five assists in leading San Gabriel to the Division I-AA semifinals. Regarded as one of the top ballhandlers in the area, she is expected to help the Matadors challenge for the division championship next season.

Jamie Gast (Diamond Bar)--Gast, a junior guard, directed the offense for the Brahmas, who advanced to the Division I-AA semifinals. She averaged 13.7 points, five rebounds and five assists.

Jennie Griffen (Bishop Amat)--A 6-1 1/2 center/forward, Griffen averaged 17 points and 12 rebounds for a Bishop Amat team that spent almost the entire season ranked No. 1 in the San Gabriel Valley. Griffen’s strength was her inside game.

Katy Grubbs (South Pasadena)--Grubbs, a 6-0 junior center, was named most valuable player of the Rio Hondo League after averaging 18.7 points and 12.5 rebounds. Grubbs led South Pasadena to a 10-0 record in league.

Lupe Janos (Los Altos)--Janos, a 5-8 guard/forward, averaged 13 points, 12.5 rebounds and three assists for the Conquerors. Opposing coaches consistently noted that she was one of the area’s top defensive players.

Courtney Kanegae (Pasadena Poly)--Kanegae, a senior, led Pasadena Poly to its fourth consecutive Division V-AA semifinal appearance. She averaged 12.8 points and 7.3 assists and was named most valuable player of the Prep League.

Erin Massey (Wilson)--Massey, who is also an outstanding softball player, helped the Wildcats to another successful season by averaging 15 points and seven assists. Coaches described her as a leader and one of the best all-around players in the area.

Kelly Morris (Diamond Bar)--Morris, a 6-1 senior, was one of the area’s top inside players. She averaged 14.3 points, eight rebounds and three assists for the Brahmas, who advanced to the semifinals of the Southern Section Division I-AA playoffs.

Ghenia Pringle (Garey)--A 5-7 junior guard, Pringle was named most valuable player of the Miramonte League after averaging 17.1 points, 8.4 rebounds and 3.2 assists. A solid ballhandler and good shooter, she is expected to help Garey contend for the league title next season.

GIRLS’ ALL-STAR TEAM

Name: Adrienne Davis School: Covina Year: Senior Points: 16.0

Name: Joyce-Ann Garcia School: San Gabriel Year: Junior Points: 20.4

Name: Jamie Gast School: Diamond Bar Year: Junior Points: 13.7

Name: Jennie Griffen School: Bishop Amat Year: Senior Points: 17.0

Name: Katy Grubbs School: South Pasadena Year: Junior Points: 18.7

Name: Lupe Janos School: Los Altos Year: Senior Points: 13.0

Name: Courtney Kanegae School: Pasadena Poly Year: Senior Points: 12.8

Name: Erin Massey School: Wilson Year: Senior Points: 15.0

Name: Kelly Morris School: Diamond Bar Year: Senior Points: 14.3

Name: Ghenia Pringle School: Garey Year: Senior Points: 17.1