Compton Centennial Heads for Classic

Arron Afflalo, a 6-foot-5 guard who signed with UCLA, will lead Compton Centennial into its first bona fide test this season at the 16-team California Prep Classic, which begins today at Bakersfield.

Centennial, which was 4-0 at the season-opening Beverly Hills tournament last week won by an average of 37.5 points, opens play tonight against Bakersfield North at Bakersfield High. The Apaches, ranked No. 5 in the Southland by The Times, are on the same side of the bracket as No. 19 Reseda Cleveland.

Among the teams playing in the opposite bracket at Centennial Garden are Carson, Moreno Valley Canyon Springs and Bakersfield, led by 7-1 center Robert Swift, a transfer from Bakersfield Garces who signed with USC but is entertaining thoughts of making himself available for the NBA draft in June.

Among the other top-25 teams competing in local tournaments this week are No. 2 Santa Ana Mater Dei and No. 25 San Bernardino Cajon in the Irvine World News tournament, No. 13 Lake Forest El Toro and No. 14 Mission Viejo Capistrano Valley in the Anaheim Convention Center Holiday Classic, and No. 15 Bellflower St. John Bosco and No. 20 Glendora in the Orange County Championships at Fullerton Troy and Placentia Valencia.

-- Dan Arritt

Former NFL running back Aaron Craver has been hired as football coach at Compton Centennial, where he was a track star in the mid-1980s.

He replaces Fred Jackson, who resigned after coaching the Apaches to a 1-19 record in two seasons. Jackson will remain at the school as a teacher.

Craver was an All-Big West Conference pick at Fresno State as a senior and played for Miami, Denver, San Diego and New Orleans during his 10-year pro career.

He spent the fall as cross-country coach at San Juan Capistrano Serra before taking a job with the Compton Unified School District as a recreation director for its elementary and middle schools.

Craver also developed and operates Light Speed, an after-school track and field program in Compton.

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Two Culver City receivers have announced their college commitments: Michael Bumpus to USC and Jaison Williams to Oregon.

Linebacker Greg Newman of Westlake Village Westlake committed to Colorado, offensive lineman Eric Rouser of Ventura St. Bonaventure to San Diego State and running back Dan Howell of Newhall Hart to Washington.

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Ten students from high schools in Southern California were selected among the 20 state finalists for the 10th Wendy’s High School Heisman Award, which honors students for their academics, athletics and community involvement.

The Southland finalists: Ryan Dean, Valencia; Oren Gabriel, Oak Park; Anthony Gurrola and Stephanie Cone, Fillmore; Jace Kellogg, Lancaster; Nathan Rynning, Yucca Valley Joshua Springs; Rebecca Millard, Yucca Valley Joshua Springs; Ericka Perryman, Beaumont, and Monika Rothenburger, Dana Point Dana Hills.

Two state finalists are Sha Rae Gibbons of Sacramento Valley and Alif Khalfan of Escondido San Pasqual, but neither was selected among the 12 national finalists for the award.