1995 PREP BASKETBALL ALL-STARS : Three Cornerstones of Girls’ Programs Earn Honors Again

Crossroads point guard Sherrise Smith, Venice guard Yuriko Jung and Palisades forward Nicole Codd are no strangers to The Times’ Westside All-Star girls’ basketball team.

The players, who recently closed out their prep careers, highlight The Times’ 1995 team. Jung and Smith are making their third appearance on the first team and Codd is making her second appearance.

Also selected to the first team were Yasmeen Benjamin (Crossroads), Jennifer Hatch (Notre Dame Academy), Tiffany Lewis (Westchester), Nicole Monette (St. Bernard), Tracie Oaks (St. Bernard), Miatta Rice (Palisades) and Sasha Spalding (Beverly Hills).

Selections were based on ballots cast by area coaches, all of whom were asked to participate, and a poll of Times sportswriters.

Players named to the first team, along with their parents and coaches, will be guests of The Times at an awards breakfast at 9 a.m. Sunday at the Guest Quarters Hotel in Santa Monica. The winners of the Westside player and coach of the year awards will be announced at the breakfast.

Here is a look at The Times’ 1995 All-Westside team:

Yasmeen Benjamin (Crossroads)--Benjamin developed her outside shot last summer after being strictly a post player in the past. She averaged 16 points and eight rebounds a game and was named to the Southern Section Division IV first team. The 5-foot-10 senior is expected to play guard next fall for UC Santa Barbara.

Nicole Codd (Palisades)--One of the most powerful inside players, Codd led the Dolphins to the City Section 4-A Division quarterfinals. She averaged a team-high 16 points and 14 rebounds a game. She also earned City 4-A honors.

Jennifer Hatch (Notre Dame Academy)--When the Regals temporally lost shooter Taryn Reynolds because of an injury, Hatch carried the team to another Sunshine League championship. Hatch, who was named to the Westside second team as a junior, proved to be a consistent scorer and rebounder.

Yuriko Jung (Venice)--One of the most polished players in the City, Jung worked hard on her defense playing for City Force, an Amateur Athletic Union team, last summer. She averaged 17 points, nine rebounds, four assists and four steals as a senior. Jung was also named to the City 4-A team.

Tiffany Lewis (Westchester)--The 6-foot junior was a dominating player within 10 feet of the basket in leading the Comets in scoring (17.5) and rebounds (14). Lewis made 41% of her field goals and 76% of her free throws. She helped guide the Comets to the 4-A semifinals.

Nicole Monette (St. Bernard)--Following the footsteps of former Vikings Olympia Scott and Marte Alexander, Monette moved to the forefront of the area’s dominating inside players. The 5-11 sophomore forward averaged 12.3 points, eight rebounds and 1.9 assists.

Tracie Oaks (St. Bernard)--The Vikings have produced many talented point guards and Oaks continues the tradition. The 5-6 junior blossomed into a dependable scorer (17.1) and playmaker (3.8 assists) after playing a supporting role on the Vikings’ two State Division IV championship teams.

Miatta Rice (Palisades)--After transferring from Coastal Conference rival Hamilton, Rice provided floor leadership, guiding the Dolphins to the City 4-A quarterfinals. She averaged 12 points, two rebounds, eight assists and three steals as a senior.

Sherrise Smith (Crossroads)--Making her third appearance on the first team, the 5-4 senior point guard was a dazzling passer and dribbler and created shots with her drives to the basket. She averaged 19.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 10 assists. Smith has signed with Cal.

Sasha Spalding (Beverly Hills)--Spalding provided leadership, scoring (19.9 points) and rebounding (10) for the Normans and was named the most outstanding player in the Ocean League. Spalding was selected to the Westside’s second team in 1993 and 1994. She was also selected to the Southern Section Division II second team.

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GIRLS’ ALL-STAR TEAM Name: Yasmeen Benjamin School: Crossroads Year: Senior Points: 16.0 Name: Nicole Codd School: Palisades Year: Senior Points: 16.0 Name: Jennifer Hatch School: Notre Dame Academy Year: Senior Points: 11.0 Name: Yuriko Jung School: Venice Year: Senior Points: 17.0 Name: Tiffany Lewis School: Westchester Year: Junior Points: 17.5 Name: Nicole Monette School: St. Bernard Year: Sophomore Points: 17./1 Name: Tracie Oaks School: St. Bernard Year: Junior Points: 17.1 Name: Miatta Rice School: Palisades Yar: Senior Points: 12.0 Name: Sherrise Smith School: Crossroads Year: Crossroads Points:19.5 Name: Sasha Spalding School: Beverly Hills Year: Senior Points: 19.9

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Westside Girls’ Second Team

Player School Yr. Ht. Avg. Halima Cotwright Crossroads Sr. 6-1 10.0 Melissa Dorcely Westchester Soph. 5-6 14.0 Jamie Goodrich Santa Monica Sr. 5-9 15.0 Jenny Ho Brentwood Soph. 5-4 11.0 Erin Irving Crossroads Sr. 6-0 11.9 Jannine Mackie Marlborough Sr. 5-9 15.0 Marina Ramos Hamilton Sr. 5-10 10.3 Taryn reynolds Notre Dame Academy Jr. 5-5 15.9 Stephanie Seiler St. Monica Soph. 5-4 11.9 Felice Weiss Culver City Jr. 5-9 15.0