Two Schools Dominate South Coast Selections

Dominguez and Lynwood, two of this season’s highest-quality Southern Section basketball teams, each placed three players on The Times’ All-South Coast team, and all six have something in common besides talent: They are team-oriented.

Their statistics are solid but not eye-popping.

There isn’t a 20-point-per-game scorer among them.

“It kind of gets to their heads to look in the paper and see other kids score in the 20s,” said Dominguez Coach Ernie Carr, “but I tell them if I turned them loose they’d acquire those kind of stats. But they’re good people who are unselfish and understand the team concept.”

His three all-stars, Curtis Williams, Michael Moore and Rod Palmer, all averaged less than 15 points a game but led the Dons (23-5) to the 4-A finals, where they lost to Glendale.

Led by All-Star Trio

Lynwood (27-2), led by its all-star trio of Willie Joseph, Andre Edwards and Erik Peace, tied Dominguez for the San Gabriel Valley League title and went to the 4-A semifinals before losing to Glendale. The Knights beat the Dons, 67-65, at Dominguez, then later lost to them, 74-63, at home.

Those six players are among 10 on the All-South Coast team, one of 10 from Times’ circulation areas that will be honored at The Times’ annual prep basketball awards ceremony at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Harry Chandler Auditorium of the Times Mirror Building in downtown Los Angeles.

Player of the year and coach of the year will be announced during the ceremony. USC Coach Stan Morrison is scheduled to be the guest speaker.

The 10 selections made by a vote of coaches and sportswriters:

Van Anderson, St. Anthony--Anderson, the Camino Real League MVP, was an igniter. When the Saints struggled, Anderson, a graceful 6-4, 190-pound guard, would literally rise above everyone else. His dunk shots--usually three a game--were sparks that fired his teammates.

Anderson averaged 18.6 points and 6.3 rebounds. But he also had a flair for defense, averaging 2.6 steals.

“He’s not a great shooter, but he’s a great scorer,” said Saints Coach Danny Marques, who expects Anderson to excel in college basketball at Oregon State.

Vincent Camper, Poly--When he wanted to, Camper could turn a game around. Against Compton, he drove around a defender for a dunk, then raced down court to block a shot and whip a pass to set up another basket.

A 6-5, 195-pound senior center, Camper averaged 13.5 points and 9 rebounds, but probably played better as a junior. “I expected more of him and I don’t think he’s satisfied,” said Poly Coach Chris Kinder.

Still, Camper, who made 60% of his field goal attempts, was tough around the basket. “He’s an excellent low-post player for his size and an excellent defensive player,” said Camper’s former coach, Ron Palmer, who would like Camper to play for him at Cal State Long Beach.

Andre Edwards, Lynwood--Edwards was Lynwood’s biggest player, although he is only 6-4 and 200 pounds. He averaged 17 points and 8 rebounds a game.

“He was our press breaker,” Coach Bill Notley said. “He wanted the ball on the press. And he’s a strong offensive player who excels in the transition game.”

Edwards, a senior who was a two-year starter, is expected to attend an area junior college.

Barry Heads, Compton--This 6-2, 170-pound senior guard, whose forte was perimeter shooting, was named Player of the Year in the Moore League.

“He is one of the purest shooters I’ve ever coached,” said Compton Coach Eddie Thomas.

Heads averaged 15 points a game and 3.4 assists but averaged 23 points the last five games of the season, when the Tarbabes drove into the playoffs.

Willie Joseph, Lynwood--”He was the cog of the wheel,” Notley said of Joseph. “He couldn’t be more valuable.”

Joseph, the MVP of the San Gabriel Valley League, is a 6-3, 205-pound senior who muscled his way to 19 points and 12 rebounds a game. When the Knights had their transition game in high gear, it was Joseph who threw the long passes that resulted in fast-break baskets.

A natural guard, he had to play power forward with the small Knights, but his aggressiveness and competitiveness were suited for that position.

Michael Moore, Dominguez--A three-year varsity letterman, Moore averaged only 12.5 points but, according to Coach Ernie Carr, was “probably our best all-around player.”

A quick player, the 6-5 1/2, 185-pound Moore can score from inside and the perimeter. And, said Carr, he can play defense.

He will play next year at the University of New Mexico.

Rod Palmer, Dominguez--The UCLA-bound Palmer, a 6-3, 185-pound guard, averaged 13 points and 4 assists a game.

“He’s a good ball handler, a very good defender and he rebounds well,” Carr said.

But Palmer’s strength is his shooting, which according to coaches, is outstanding and consistent.

Erik Peace, Lynwood--He was the Knights’ steadiest player. “You could always count on him to get his points,” said Notley.

He got 14 of them a game and was the team’s top free-throw shooter.

“He’s very strong with big hands,” said Notley of the 5-10, 170-pound senior guard. “He could protect the ball against people.”

Kenny Rogers, Paramount--Rogers, a 6-3, 200-pound senior guard-forward, averaged nine rebounds a game.

When he wasn’t rebounding, he was scoring (21.8 a game). “When we needed a bucket he was the one to get it, “said Coach T.J. Hardeman.

Rogers had his best games against tough teams Lynwood and Dominguez. If he was guarded tightly, he would drive by his defender, but opponents couldn’t afford to sag on him because of his effective outside shooting.

Curtis Williams, Dominguez--Known for playing his best in the most important games, the high-jumping Williams carried the Dons in the playoffs, averaging 19.8 points a game, five higher than his regular season average.

“He had great tenacity around the basket,” Carr said of the 6-5, 180-pound senior forward who had 8 rebounds a game. “He probably was our most physical player.”

Williams, who will play next year at St. Mary’s College in Moraga, was effective on the fast break and also could shoot from outside.

South Coast All-Star Basketball Team

Scoring Name, school Year Height Weight Average Van Anderson, St. Anthony Senior 6-4 190 18.6 Vincent Camper, Poly Senior 6-5 195 13.5 Andre Edwards, Lynwood Senior 6-4 200 17.0 Barry Heads, Compton Senior 6-2 170 15.0 Willie Joseph, Lynwood Senior 6-3 205 19.0 Michael Moore, Dominguez Senior 6-5 185 12.5 Rod Palmer, Dominguez Senior 6-3 185 13.0 Erik Peace, Lynwood Senior 5-10 170 14.0 Kenny Rogers, Paramount Senior 6-3 200 21.8 Curtis Williams, Dominguez Senior 6-5 180 19.8