1994 PREP BASKETBALL ALL-STARS : GIRLS’ ALL-STARS : Quality Players Help Make Up for Teams’ Lackluster Seasons

It will not be remembered as a championship season for girls’ high school basketball teams in the South Coast.

The closest any area teams came to a Southern Section title were Cerritos, which advanced to the Division I-A semifinals before losing to Mater Dei, and cross-town rival Gahr, which lost to Hemet in the Division II-AA semifinals.

Although area teams didn’t shine, it was a good season for players.

Shannon Perry of Cerritos and Blanca Loza of Millikan were named to the all-state team by Cal-Hi Sports. The two also lead the selections to The Times’ 1994 South Coast All-Star Team.

It is the second year in a row that Perry has made the team and the first for Loza. There are three other repeat selections from 1993: forward Shannon Gale of Gahr, center Amy Heaton of Lakewood and guard K.K. Johns of Long Beach Poly.

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

The players, along with their parents and coaches, will be guests of The Times at an awards breakfast at 9 a.m. Sunday at the Sheraton Long Beach, 333 E. Ocean Blvd. The area player and coach of the year will be announced at the breakfast.

A look at the all-stars:

Aburee Duggan (St. Anthony)--The 6-foot center was one of the top rebounders in the area, averaging 12 a game, along with 17.5 points, three blocked shots and 2.1 assists. She helped lead the Saints to the Division IV-A quarterfinals. A first-team Del Rey League selection, she is also student body president at St. Anthony.

Sherilyn Frazier (Cerritos)--Cerritos benefited from the 5-7 guard’s outside shooting, quickness and leadership. A San Gabriel Valley League selection, she averaged 12.8 points, 5.3 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 4.2 steals.

Shannon Gale (Gahr)--Gale, a 5-9 forward, has the lowest scoring average, 11 points, of any player on The Times’ team, but she provided steady leadership for the Gladiators. A three-time Division II selection, Gale also averaged seven rebounds. A versatile athlete, she also excels in track, cross-country, water polo and volleyball.

Amy Heaton (Lakewood)--Among the area’s most talented inside players is Heaton, a 6-1 center who will play at Long Beach State in the fall. She was a three-time Moore League selection. Heaton averaged 20.2 points, 14 rebounds, three blocked shots and was also among team leaders in steals.

K.K. Johns (Long Beach Poly)--A junior, she has a reputation as one of the top underclassmen in the state. Johns has made the Moore League team three times, Division I team twice and Cal-Hi Sports All-Underclass team. The 5-6 guard averaged 14.6 points, 5.2 assists and four rebounds and is being heavily recruiting.

Blanca Loza (Millikan)--At the start of the season, the 5-11 Loza wasn’t among the area’s most highly regarded players, but her brilliant senior season changed a few minds. She averaged 18.7 points, 16 rebounds and three assists. Her play earned her Moore League most valuable player honors and berths on the Division I and all-state teams. She is undecided about her college plans.

Shannon Perry (Cerritos)--The 6-foot Perry signed with national power Iowa in November, then averaged 20 points, 12.5 rebounds and 2.1 blocked shots for Cerritos. Perry was named to the San Gabriel Valley League team four seasons in a row and Division I team twice. She was also an all-state selection by Cal-Hi Sports.

Valencia Suggs (Gahr)--Suggs averaged 16 points, eight rebounds and two steals to help the Gladiators reach the Division II-AA semifinals. A two-time San Gabriel Valley League selection, she has been recruited by several schools, including Division I Idaho State and Cal State Northridge and Division II Cal State Dominguez Hills.

Reta Sula (Long Beach Jordan)--The basketball program at Jordan appears to be on the rise and a big reason was the emergence Sula. The 5-6 freshman guard averaged 18 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4.2 steals, 3.4 assists and made 42% of her three-point shots. She also made the Moore League first team.

April Williams (Lakewood)--The 5-6 point guard was the floor leader for the Lancers and averaged 18.6 points, seven steals and six assists. Williams has also made the Moore League team twice and was an All-Southern Section selection in 1993. She has been recruited by Long Beach State, Florida State, Oregon and Cal State Fullerton.

GIRLS’ ALL-STAR TEAM

Name: Aburee Duggan School: St. Anthony Year: Senior Points: 17.5

Name: Sherilyn Frazier School: Cerritos Year: Sophomore Points: 12.8

Name: Shannon Gale School: Gahr Year: Senior Points: 11.0

Name: Amy Heaton School: Lakewood Year: Senior Points: 20.2

Name: K.K. Johns School: Long Beach Poly Year: Junior Points: 14.6

Name: Blanca Loza School: Millikan Year: Senior Points: 18.7

Name: Shannon Perry School: Cerritos Year: Senior Points: 20.0

Name: Valencia Suggs School: Gahr Year: Senior Points: 16.0

Name: Reta Sula School: Long Beach Jordan Year: Freshman Points: 18.0

Name: April Williams School: Lakewood Year: Senior Points: 18.6