Times Names O’Bannon Player of Year

Ed O’Bannon of Artesia High School was named The Times’ South Coast prep boys basketball player of the year at an awards brunch last Sunday at the Anaheim Hilton Hotel.

The 6-foot-8 O’Bannon, an All-American who made the All-South Coast team three consecutive years, averaged 26 points and 11 rebounds in his senior season for the Pioneers.

The girls player of the year is senior Linda Watson of Lynwood. The 5-10 Watson, who will play at USC, averaged 21 points, nine rebounds and six assists for the Knights.

Watson has been player of the year two consecutive seasons.

The South Coast boys coach of the year award went to Ron Palmer of Poly.

After a four-year absence, Palmer returned to Poly and guided the Jackrabbits to a CIF Southern Section championship.

Poly, which finished 28-3, reached the Southern Regional finals of the state tournament.

The girls coach of the year is Maurice Roberson, who led Lynwood to a 28-3 record. The Knights reached the Southern Section finals and then played in the state tournament.

In the Southeast area, Earnest Killum of Lynwood is boys player of the year. The 6-4 1/2 senior averaged 30 points and 7.5 rebounds a game.

The girls player of the year, for the second consecutive season, is Brenda Pantoya of Bell Gardens. Pantoya, a 5-7 junior, averaged 20 points and 6 rebounds for the Lancers.

The Southeast boys coach of the year is Bill Notley of Lynwood, who has coached the Knights for 23 seasons. This season he guided them to a 31-3 season and a berth in the Southern Section finals.

Notley, who had contemplated stepping down as coach, has said he will return again next season.

The girls coach of the year in the Southeast is Liz Metcalf of Valley Christian. Her Crusaders, who reached the Southern Section finals and won a berth in the state tournament, finished 21-6.