Some Players Can’t Make the Grade : Academic Standards Keep Several Quality Athletes From Signing

SAN DIEGO —  The spring period for signing national letters of intent opened Wednesday, but only one county high school boys’ basketball player committed to a Division I college.

Willie Davis of Morse signed with United States International University.

Several quality players who could have signed Wednesday didn’t because of academic reasons, according to local high school and college coaches.

“To be honest, a lot of the kids in the San Diego area aren’t paying attention to what they have to do to get into school as far as academics go,” said Kevin McLeod, an assistant at San Diego State.

Six of the county’s best seniors--Jeff Alexander, Jeff Harper and Andre Mitchell of Madison, Carl Gaines of Lincoln, Lamont Grove of Crawford and Lee Cobb of El Camino--fell short of meeting National Collegiate Athletic Assn. academic standards, their coaches said.

To meet NCAA guidelines, high school players must have a 2.0 (C) grade-point average in 11 core courses and score at least a 700 on the Scholastic Aptitude Test or 15 on the American College Test. The core course requirements are three years of English, two years each of math, science and social science and two more years in those three subjects or in computer science, philosophy, language or religious studies.

But those are only the minimum standards. Most colleges have tougher entrance requirements.

McLeod, USIU Coach Gary Zarecky and USD Coach Hank Egan believe that several of those in poor academic standing are good enough to play on the Division I level and should attend junior college to improve their grades.

The high school coaches for Alexander, Harper, Mitchell, Gaines and Grove said the players are considering attending community colleges to improve their academic standings. Cobb, according to Coach Ray Johnson of El Camino, is considering junior college or Southeastern Oklahoma State University, a National Assn. of Intercollegiate Athletics school.

Poor grades weren’t the only reason for the dearth of signings.

Several of the better local players--such 6-foot 2-inch Scott Oatsvall of El Camino, 6-1 Dave Delaney of Poway and 6-1 Tim Barry of Santana--were considered “tweeners,” not quite quick enough to play guard and not quite big enough to play forward.

Johnson said Oatsvall also is considering Southeastern Oklahoma. Delaney probably will end up at a Division II school, according to Poway Coach Neville Saner. Barry was recruited lightly in basketball, according to Santana Coach John Bobof, but might receive a scholarship offer in baseball.

“It’s hard to take risks,” said Egan. “If you’re going to take a risk, it has to be with a big guy.”

One of those big guys, 7-foot center Neal Pollard from Torrey Pines, said he is undecided about his plans.

“San Diego State has been talking to me,” said Pollard, who also is being considered by Boise State. “They want me to come as a walk-on, then go on scholarship later.”

Next year should be different, college coaches said. Seniors-to-be Courtie Miller and Kevin Flanagan of Torrey Pines and Robby Robinson of Madison are expected to attract considerable interest.

Davis, a 6-foot point guard, is one of only two local high school players to sign with Division I schools. In the early signing period in November, forward Randy Robinson of Kearny signed with Colorado.

Davis averaged 16.5 points, 11 assists and 6 steals last season.

“We’re excited about Willie because he’s a leader,” said Zarecky. “He can run, jump and is a great three-point shooter.”

“It’s a good school and it’s close to home,” Davis said. “I feel comfortable.”

Wednesday was the signing date for all college sports except football and women’s volleyball, which sign in February. There was an early signing period for basketball in the fall.

Among the other local athletes who have signed, or who plan to in the next few days:

GIRLS’ BASKETBALL

Julie Doria, a 5-7 guard from San Pasqual High School, committed two months ago to the University of San Diego.

Lynda Jones, a 6-2 center from Mt. Carmel, also will attend USD.

Leslie Ellis of Santana will attend Eastern Montana College, a Division II school in Billings.

Kristy Patterson of Helix signed in November with Northern Arizona University.

BASEBALL

After being contacted by more than 20 schools, Sean Rees of Mission Bay decided Tuesday on Arizona State.

Rees, a left-handed pitcher who also plays first base and is a solid hitter, turned down offers from Oklahoma, Illinois, Brigham Young and California, among others.

TRACK

Charles Huff of La Jolla said he will sign with Washington State. Huff, a long jumper, triple jumper and sprinter, also was recruited by Washington, Oregon and Oregon State.

Distance runner Goshu Tadese of Crawford plans to attend Point Loma Nazarene.

TENNIS

Andy Potter and Scott Hulse of San Pasqual have committed to Kentucky. Potter, who considered Arizona, USD, Colorado, Utah and Alabama, finished 12th last week in the Easter Bowl tournament in Miami.

University City’s Mimi Burgos will attend Clemson. She is rated 58th in 18-and-under singles.

Sue Hawke of Patrick Henry, a member of The Times’ All-County girls’ basketball team, plans to attend San Diego State and play tennis.

GOLF

Christy Erb of Bonita Vista said she has decided on UCLA after being contacted by 10 to 15 schools.

The top two junior boys in the area, Phil Mickelson of University of San Diego High School and Harry Rudolph of La Jolla, made their decisions long ago. Mickelson is headed for Arizona State, and Rudolph will attend Oklahoma State.

SWIMMING

Allison Maxwell of University City, who has qualified for the U.S. Olympic trials, is signing with Clemson.

Contributing to this story were Steve Beatty, Chris Ello and Scott Miller.