2 Serra Players to Stay Together in College : Recruiting: Forward Michael Boyd becomes the third player from the state champion Cavaliers to sign with a Division I school.

Serra High forward Michael Boyd, who helped the Cavaliers win the State Division IV title, has signed a letter of intent to play basketball for Cal State Sacramento.

The 6-foot-5 Boyd will join Serra teammate Arthur Tate, a 6-6 forward, at Sacramento. Tate signed with the Hornets in November.

“We’ve been playing together since we were in fifth grade, and now we’re going to be playing together until we’re grown men,� Boyd said. “I called (Tate) after I committed. When he answered I said, ‘What’s up roommate?’ He said, ‘Are you serious?’ He was happy about it.�

Boyd’s signing means three Serra players are headed to Division I schools. Akeli Jackson, a 6-8 center, signed with Cal State Long Beach in November.

Boyd hopes to play as a freshman at Sacramento, which was 3-24 last season in its second year of competing on the Division I level.

“I’m optimistic about everything,� Boyd said. “When I came to Serra, it wasn’t exactly a high school powerhouse either. It’s just a matter of getting a group of guys together who want to work hard.�

Boyd said Sacramento was the only Division I school that offered him a scholarship, a fact that surprised Serra Coach Dwan Hurt.

“I think Michael Boyd was overlooked,� Hurt said. “He’s going to have a lot to offer Sacramento State.�

Boyd said UC Santa Barbara also recruited him, but backed off recently after signing a community college player.

“I was sick last summer and missed some tournaments and I think that hurt me,� Boyd said. “I thought my senior year was enough to make up for it, but it wasn’t.�

Boyd ranked among Serra’s leaders in scoring, rebounding and three-point shooting, averaging 22.1 points and 9.7 rebounds. He was the Cavaliers’ high scorer with 15 points in their 67-44 victory over Palma of Salinas in the State Division IV championship game March 19 at the Oakland Arena. He was named to the All-Southern Section Division IV first team and The Times South Bay All-Star second team.

Serra ended the season with an 18-game winning streak to finish 26-7.

Boyd said he expects to play small forward or shooting guard at Sacramento. The Hornets lose three starters.

Boyd has a 3.3 grade-point average and scored above the NCAA qualifying mark on the Scholastic Aptitude Test, making him academically eligible to play as a freshman.

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Torrance pitcher Deanna Guerrero has signed a letter of intent to play softball for New Mexico Highlands University. An All-Pioneer League choice last year, Guerrero is 5-0 and has not allowed an earned run this season.

“Deanna has a lot of different pitches, with her best probably being the drop,� New Mexico Highlands Coach Galen Paton said. “She has the ability to be one of the top pitchers in our league. She’ll definitely challenge for our No. 1 spot.�