alloc325.htm

SoCal High School & Prep Report

All Orange County Team
Named By LA Times--(March 25, 1998)

The Los Angeles Times Orange County edition yesterday published its All Orange County Team listings. There were, as far as we can tell, no real surprises, and no one who was left off the list who should have been on it. At least that's our opinion.

ZAMIRO BENNEM, Magnolia (6'-3" Sr. G)

The Times named Bennem as the Orange League's MVP. Bennem, who will attend UC Irvine, led the Sentinels to two upsets over three-time defending champion Brea Olinda to win the league title. A slashing guard, he averaged 23.5 points and six assists.

JEFFREY BEROKOFF, Sonora (6'-3" 1/2 Sr. G)

The county's fourth-leading scorer at 24 points per game, Berokoff was the driving force for Sonora, which tied Troy for the Freeway League title. Headed to San Diego State. "He became a leader this year," Coach Mike Murphy told the Times. "In every big game he had a great game."

TONY DOW, Ocean View ( 6'-1" Jr. G)

Dow was the on-the-floor leader for the Division III-AA champions, averaging 10 points and 4.9 assists. "He was one of the most complete point guards in Southern California," Seahawk Coach Jim Harris told the Times. "He is dedicated to basketball; the ultimate gym rat."

JERRY INZUNZA, Troy (5'-9" Jr. G)

A very reliable player, averaging 24.8 ppg, he had a big game, scoring 23 points, in a 70-61 victory over visiting Sonora, which gave Troy a share of the Freeway League title with perennial champion Sonora. He was the league's most valuable player.

MATT KOMER, Los Alamitos (6'-7" Sr F)

Slowed by back problems, Komer remained the go-to guy for the Griffins in their Sunset League title run and was named league MVP. This probably was his final season playing basketball because he has signed to play volleyball at UCLA next season. Averaged 9.5 rebounds.

DEKKER McKEEVER, Santa Margarita (6'-7" Sr. C)

The Eagles' muscular middleman averaged 10 points and 10.2 rebounds and played a key role in every important Santa Margarita victory. Will attend Holy Cross. "This year he established himself as a top-flight high school player," Coach Jerry DeBusk told the Times.

CHRIS McMILLIAN, Brea Olinda (5'-10" Sr. G)

An explosive guard who has signed to play at Wyoming, McMillian was an exceptional three-point shooter who averaged 23.9 points. Most options in Brea's offense were designed to put the ball in his hands. Made 80.8% of free throws and 41.7% of three-point attempts.

JOE ORTIZ, Calvary Chapel (6'-2" Sr. G)

In helping Calvary Chapel reach the Division IV-AA CIF Southern Section title game, Ortiz became only the sixth county player to reach the 2,000-career point plateau. He also set a single-game school record for assists at 14 and twice blocked six shots in a game. He will attend Westmont College in Santa Barbara.

ALAN VERZANI, Villa Park (6'-7" Sr. C)

One of Orange County's best big men, Verzani ranked second in rebounding, with 12.2 rpg, and second in the county in field-goal percentage, at 62.7%. He also averaged 19.3 points and was a big factor in the Spartans' drive to their third consecutive Century League title.

T.J. WILLIAMS, Santa Margarita (6'-0" Sr. G)

In a season dominated by guard play, Williams--averaging 10 points and 8.1 assists--earned player-of-the-year honors for pushing the Eagles to the Division II--AA championship, and their first state Division II title. He will attend Cal Poly Pomona.

All Orange County LA Times Second Team

ROB ABERCROMBIE, Katella ( 6'-2" Jr. G)

MIKE BAYER, Mater Dei (6'-6" Jr. F/C), 12.9 ppg

RYAN FOREHAN-KELLY, Santa Margarita (6'-4" Sr. F), 12.2 ppg

ANDREW GAULDEN, Canyon (6'-9" Sr. F) 18.8 ppg, 11 rpg

DUC NGUYEN, Bolsa Grande (5'-10" Sr. G), 20.5 ppg, 4.4 apg

ERIC PALMER, University (5'-7" Sr. G) 23.5 ppg, 8.5 apg

ADAM RACHLIN, Pacifica (5'-10" Jr. F) 14.3 ppg

STEVE SHEA, Servite (6'-5" Sr. F) 15.8 ppg

J.J. SOLA, Aliso Niguel (6'-7" Jr. C) 26.7 ppg, 11.2 rpg

MIKE STOWELL, Capistrano Valley (6'-2" Jr. F) 16.7 ppg, 5 apg