Taft’s Guenther Keeps His Dual Options Open

The answer to Gregg Guenther’s dilemma, if it can be called that, is easy: He wants to do both.

Guenther, a 6-foot-8, 255-pound senior at Taft High, had a notable summer on the basketball court, pulling down a slew of rebounds whenever he played, scoring 24 points in a semifinal of the Big Time tournament in Las Vegas, and running the court--a nice plus for a big man.

But with club basketball over, he has traded rebounds for receptions. A tight end for Taft High, Guenther has begun football practice and his decision-making process.

Guenther said USC has offered him a football scholarship. He is also considering UCLA, Arizona, Michigan and Ohio State.

But wherever Guenther goes to school, he also wants to play basketball.

“I’m still thinking that I want to do both in college,” Guenther said. “I’ve got more offers in football, but I’m hoping to play basketball once I get on [a college] campus.”

Guenther was impressive this summer playing basketball for Pump N Run Gold, which advanced to the semifinals of five tournaments.

“It’s fun playing against the best players in the nation,” he said. “You get a feel for what every player can do.”

Like most post players, his outside shot could use some work, but he doesn’t need help pounding away at an opponent.

“I like the physical part of it,” Guenther said. “Going for a rebound or getting the ball down low and trying to beat a guy one-on-one.”

In football, Guenther had a frustrating junior season at Crespi. He was sidelined midway through the season after suffering a stress fracture in his right ankle.

Guenther has noticed a significant difference in football styles since transferring this summer to Taft, where his mother, Cheri, is an assistant principal.

“There’s a lot more team speed [at Taft],” Guenther said. “Crespi’s more like, you run it down their throats, move down the field little by little. At Taft, it’s more game-breakers who can score at any time.”

Guenther, who will also play defensive lineman for the defending City Section champions, has befriended quarterback Brandon Hance, who has committed to Purdue and is posing yet another dilemma for Guenther.

“He’s trying to get me to go to Purdue,” Guenther said.

The Boilermakers would be wise to inquire.

*

Not everything fell the right way in Sioux Falls, S.D.

The California Valley Breeze, after a largely successful run through the American Softball Assn. National Championships, lost in the final, 3-0, to the California Breeze of Northern California.

Pitcher Anna Russell of Harvard-Westlake High and catcher Nikki Shaw of Verdugo Hills played well for the Valley Breeze, which was second in the under-18 A Division.

The Southern California Stealth, behind pitcher Erin Voeltz of Westlake and shortstop Amanda Olson of Agoura, finished third.

The Southern California Athletics finished seventh. Amanda Fortune of Hart pitched a perfect game against California Gold, and Cori Herbert of Hoover pitched three shutouts. Sara Hall of Calabasas was 11 for 24 with five doubles.