SoCal High School & Prep Report

Tournament Of Champions: Compton
Wins; Moore MVP--(December 14,1997)

Since we were at UCLA last night, we obviously weren't at the finals of the Tournament of Champions played at Ocean View High.

But we have received enough information to report that Compton won 71 to 65 over a strong Redondo Union High team. DeAndre Moore scored 17 points, erasing the off night he had on Friday night, when he went 2 for 12; Moore also had six assists and five steals and was named Tournament MVP.

The Tarbabes are now 5-0 on the season.

Tito Maddox was also named to the All-Tournament Team, and he had 15 points last night. Reggie Howard had 12 points and three steals. David Hamilton was also named to the All-Tournament team, but he only had eight points in the game, and spent the evening on and off the bench with foul trouble for most of the game. Redondo's Andrew Zahn, had a game high 24 points. Redondo, which obviously finished second, and which also finished third in it's own tournament, the 46th Annual Pacific Shores Tournament, is now 6-2 on the season.

Apparently this was a very close game until the final two minutes. Redondo lead at the end of the first quarter 16-13, but Compton came roaring back, and led at the half 33-26. Redondo took over in the third quarter, outscoring Compton 23-18, to bring the game within a single basket 51-49 by the end of the quarter. But Compton outscored the Seahawks 20-15 in the fourth quarter, to win by six points, 71-65.

Compton's scorers were Ray Ross with 4 points, Terry Hosendove with 6, David Hamilton with 8, Milton Riley with 9, Reggie Howard with 12, and Maddox and Moore with 15 and 17 respectively. Redondo was paced by Morris with 4, Hoffman with 12, Nazarian with 2, Moore 10, Zahn 24, Hunt 7, and Stauffer with 6.

We agree with our friend Phil Gatton, who says that people who haven't seen the Tarbabes this year just don't realize how good Compton is. Compton is very well coached and on the verge of being the LA power they were back in the 70's. Don't be surprised to see them right there at the end of the season playing for a championship.

Redondo also showed that they can play with anybody. According to Gatton, "you might call it a coming out party for the underclass dominated Redondo team." Marcus Moore a 6'-4" point guard "gave the Compton teams fits and showed himself to be a serious recruit for next year" according to Gatton. And interestingly, the 6'-9" Zahn not only held his own against the more experienced and often streaky David Hamilton, he may actually have outplayed him, according to Gatton. "Andrew is still learning how to play against double teams and weakside help. Once he realizes how good he can be look out!" said Gatton.

And for those interested in seeing these teams again, look for the Martin Luther King Holiday Challenge, which is played next month at Pauley Pavilion. Compton is scheduled to play what promises to be a fantastic game against Jason Kapono and his Artesia team, while Redondo will play in the first game of the Tournament against Ocean League rival Torrance. Both games will feature the next generation of great young big men, including Artesia's Kapono and Redondo's Zahn.

We'll be featuring a lot of coverage on the MLK Holiday Challenge, so look here for details, schedules, ticket availability and more.

And congratulations to the Compton Tarbabes, the 1997-98 Tournament of Champions Champions.

And if that sounds redundant it is. They are the Champions of Champions.

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