City227.htm

SoCal High School & Prep Report

City Section Playoffs: All The Semifinal
Game Previews--(February 27, 1998)

Not much time before each of these starts. Why do they have to be spread out all over the region. Why not just put them at Pauley, or the Sports Arena or wherever. These games should all be seen, in person, and it's a shame that we have to pick and choose. But here's what's up, where and when. Get moving, because these are about to start.

4-A Division Semifinals

Crenshaw v. Westchester, at Cal State Dominguez Hills, 8 p.m.

Ok, so this was supposed to be the "finals" matchup. Not this year it isn't. Blame the genius who did the seeding. Not to slight either Manual or Fremont, but we think that whoever wins this game will probably be the next City 4-A champion. We're probably wrong about this but that's what we think. Don't miss this game. It'll be amazing. Crenshaw has 17 players and can go to all 17, and probably will at one time or another in this game. Westchester is not as deep but among the 8 or 9 who will play, they are just as talented. Look for Tony Bland, David Bluthenthal and the rest to make this one of the best games of the year. That is if they can get through big Anthony Garrison. We'll be watching.

Manual Arts v. Fremont, at Southwest Los Angeles College 8 p.m.

Fremont features a starting lineup of Dante Limbrick (6"-1" Jr G), Michael Schynder (6'-1" Jr G), Sean Stroud, (6'-3" Sr SF), Shammond Williams (6'-6" Sr F), and the undisputed "star" if there is one on this team, Ronell Mingo (6'-7" Sr PF/C). Any one of them can hit the J, drive and dish, and Fremont is a team which has just not gotten much in the way of publicity, but it could be the one to face either Crenshaw or Westchester for the City Championship in 4-A. Manual Arts is also a very strong team, and any one of their bench players could start for most other teams. The Toilers feature Curtis Millage at the point, a 5'-10" junior, James Wright at the shooting guard spot, a slashing type of player at 5'-10" who can hit the outside shot as well, Ricky Duff (6'-6" Sr F), Brandon Moorer (6'-7" Jr F) and Johnny Hardwick (6'-9" Jr C) as the starter. Expect to see a lot of play from Larry Dillingham (6'-2" Jr SG) and the rest including Otis Belisle, Ronald Cass, Tomas Spain, and Cuentin Witherspoon. We've seen both teams several times this year, and frankly either of them is capable of winning, and by big margins.

3-A Division Semifinals

San Pedro v. Birmingham at Cal State L.A., 8 p.m.

San Pedro upset No. 1-seed San Fernando in Tuesday's quarterfinals when Allen Kordich made a pair of free throws with one second remaining in overtime to lift the Pirates to the 87-86 victory. Kordichfinished with 30 points in the victory over San Fernando and had a career-high 41 in a first-round win over Mid-City. San Pedro is 9-18 overall, but five losses are by forfeit. Birmingham is led by 6-3 forward Emmanuel Evans and guard Abel Velarde, who combined for 31 points in a 53-30 quarterfinal win over Bell.

Sylmar v. University at Cal State Los Angeles, 8 p.m.

The Spartans are on a roll since Jeremiah Turner came back from his broken hand after sitting out for 17 games. Sylmar's win over Ply in the quarterfinals Wednesday was their sixth straight win since Turner's comeback. Sylmar was very balanced, and expect more of the same, as George Wrighster, a transfer from Buckley, Dedrick Washington and T.K. Reed try to put this one together for the Spartans (17-9). University comes into the game an undermanned and overwhelmed team, and at 14-11, they will have their hands full.