Dons Hope It’s Summer Rerun Time : Watts Games: Strong point-guard play has been the staple of Dorsey’s offense. Meanwhile, Verbum Dei feels the loss of Miller and Cobbs.

The Dorsey Dons boys’ basketball team is hoping to repeat its success of two years ago in this year’s Watts Summer Games basketball tournament.

Dorsey won the boys’ basketball championship in 1992 and finished as City Section 4-A Division runners-up in ’92 and ’93.

Dorsey, seeded second behind last year’s champion Compton Dominguez, easily disposed of Covina, Agoura and Westlake in the June 18 opening rounds.

With Kenya Wilkins and then Terrell McKnight running the show for the past two years, strong point-guard play has been the staple of Dorsey’s offense.

This season looks to be no different.

“Mack West played surprisingly well (at point guard) over the three games,” Dorsey coach Kevin Gibson said.

“He will be responsible for getting our big guns (Charles Johnson, Willie ONeal and Jason Howzell) the ball in scoring position.”

Dorsey advanced to play in yesterday’s second-round games at Washington High School.

Verbum Dei’s showing in its first two games of the Watts Summer Games has not been to Coach Mike Kearney’s satisfaction.

The Eagles, Southern Section Division IV champions, split its first set of games, defeating South Gate, then losing to Morningside.

“Our half-court offense needs some work,” Kearney said. “We are trying to play the same style of basketball as last year but it’s not easy without Andre (Miller) and Jamal (Cobbs).”

Verbum Dei enjoyed one of its most successful seasons in school history last year, winning 26 of 29 games, advancing to the Southern Regional Division IV championship.

The Eagles employed a tenacious full-court press, which led to numerous fast-break opportunities.

However, in the absence of Miller, who will play at the University of Utah this fall, and Cobbs, Kearney will have to deviate somewhat from last year’s offense.

“There will be more emphasis on the big guys, Andre Larry and Andre Smith,” Kearney said.

“Our inside play will contribute more to our overall scoring.”

Verbum Dei begins play in the Artesia tournament Monday at Artesia High School.

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The Watts Summer Games have reaffirmed two things Jordan Coach Ed Kamiyama already knew about his team.

First, the players he has nicknamed the Bionic Four--Clem Breedlove, Termell Goss, Carlos Cabada and Julio Medrano--will have no problem with offensive chemistry.

Second, the team will have big troubles against big teams.

Jordan won a first-round game against San Pedro but lost to a larger Washington Generals team in its second contest.

“We are competitive for a while, but in the latter stages of the game, size begins to wear us down and eventually take over,” Kamiyama said.

Kamiyama’s tallest player on the roster is 6-1 Jose Sanchez, who did not play for the Bulldogs last season.

However, he is also expecting 6-2 freshman Roylee Myers to try out for the team come August.

Said Kamiyama: “There aren’t a lot of 5-10 teams out there, so (Sanchez and Myers) will give us much needed help inside and on the boards.”

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At Compton College, four Central City teams advanced to last Sunday’s third round of the Watts Summer Games flag-football tournament.

Jefferson, Los Angeles, Loyola and Verbum Dei all survived first-round play on June 18, but only Loyola--a Southern Section Division I quarterfinalist last season--was able to advance to the Games’ afternoon quarterfinals.

The Cubs, however, lost 19-18 to Long Beach Poly--a Southern Section Division I quarterfinalist last season. Jefferson beat Torrance and Crenshaw but later lost to Trabuco Hills.

Los Angeles likewise defeated its first two opponents--Inglewood Morningside and San Pedro (last year’s City 3-A champion)--before being blanked by Newhall Hart, 24-0.

Verbum Dei wide receiver Damion Wright caught a tipped ball and ran it in for the tying score on the last play of the game against Dorsey.

On the extra-point attempt, converted running back Corey Redeaux found tight end Frank Harris wide open over the middle for the winning score in the Eagles’ 8-6 upset of Dorsey.

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In other action: Fremont used a passing game in beating Los Angeles Murphy, 13-7, with new junior quarterback Robert Loera (William Yates’ understudy last season).

In Locke’s 37-0 defeat of Burbank Burroughs, Hassan Bailey (former Saints’ quarterback Akili Roberson’s replacement and a starter at wide receiver last season) tossed five touchdown passes.

Running back Sirr Parker, a 1994 City Times second team all-star, had three touchdown receptions.

Dorsey is set at the skill positions with the return of quarterback Roderick Brown and running back Antwain Wilson.

Lineman Anthony Tinsley, David Genyard and linebacker Darius Webster all return.

Manual Arts’ quarterback William Laffitte, brother of Deon Laffitte, completed 15 of 18 passes with three touchdowns in a 27-19 win over Culver City.