Smith Puts USC at Top of List

It’s a little too early for USC football Coach Pete Carroll to start celebrating, but the chances look good that two-time All-City receiver Steve Smith of Woodland Hills Taft will become a Trojan.

“I really like SC,” Smith said Tuesday.

Smith lists the Trojans as No. 1 among his college choices, followed by Texas and Tennessee. He’s also considering Oregon and Notre Dame, but UCLA is out.

Smith’s teammate, receiver Noah Smith, plans to attend the California-Stanford game and also likes Washington, USC, Tennessee and UCLA.

Taft linebacker Lance Broadus has a visit scheduled for Arizona. Taft defensive back Paul Pratt is attracting attention from Nevada, Fresno State, Washington State and Wyoming.

Alex Dunphy, a setter at North Hollywood Harvard-Westlake and the daughter of Pepperdine volleyball Coach Marv Dunphy, committed to USC earlier this year. Marv said he had no influence on her decision.

Alex met USC Coach Mick Haley three years ago when he was coaching the U.S. Olympic team. “I didn’t do anything,” Marv said. “She said, ‘Hey, Dad, I want to play for Mick Haley.’ ”

Billie Joe Grant of Arroyo Grande, the defending state champion in the girls’ discus, has taken trips to Arizona and North Carolina. In addition, she has trips scheduled to Wisconsin and Arizona State later this month.

John Parfitt, a 6-foot-7 volleyball player at Anaheim Canyon who had 74 kills in a match against Santa Margarita last season, has committed to Pepperdine.

Loyola receiver Quintin Daniels remains wide open in his college options. He’s being recruited by Oregon, UCLA, USC, Stanford, California and Notre Dame.

Shortstop Chris Valaika of Newhall Hart will visit Nebraska this weekend. He also plans to visit Fresno State and UC Santa Barbara.

Pitcher Ashlee Freeman of Westlake Village Oaks Christian has committed to Boston University. Guard Larry Cunningham of Downey has committed to UC Riverside.