1995 PREP BASKETBALL ALL-STARS : Two Serra Players Soar to Top of 1995 Boys’ Team

After the graduation of Ricky Price, a heralded college prospect who wound up playing for Duke University, the Serra boys’ basketball team was expected to struggle this season.

But the Cavaliers had a surprise in store for their competition.

A challenging nonconference schedule helped Serra prepare for the Del Rey League race, and the Cavaliers responded by winning a share of the league title with St. John Bosco.

In the playoffs, Serra advanced to the Southern Section Division IV-A title game, only to lose to Verbum Dei. The Cavaliers advanced to the state Division IV regionals and were eliminated in the Southern California semifinals.

Serra was the only boys’ team from the South Bay to reach its division championship game, and the Cavaliers are also the only team that has placed more than one player on The Times’ 1995 South Bay All-Star team.

Serra is represented by Milton Palacio and Leonard Butler. The team also features Inglewood All-America forward Paul Pierce.

Rounding out the team are Todd Ammons of Chadwick, Phil Belin of Peninsula, Chris Croom of Morningside, Brian Jones of Banning, Tremaine Mayeaux of Redondo, Brandon Price of Bishop Montgomery and Bobby Terrell of Carson.

Pierce and Belin are repeat selections. The team includes four juniors: Belin, Jones, Mayeaux and Price.

Selections were based on ballots cast by area coaches, all of whom were asked to participate, and a poll of Times sportswriters.

Players named to the first team, along with their parents and coaches, will be guests of The Times at an awards breakfast at 9 a.m. Sunday at the Guest Quarters Hotel in Santa Monica. The winners of the South Bay player and coach of the year awards will be announced at the breakfast.

Here is a look at The Times’ 1995 All-South Bay team:

Todd Ammons (Chadwick)--Few players from small schools have been named to The Times’ team, but Ammons is a noteworthy exception. The 6-foot-4 guard, who averaged 20.6 points and 7.9 rebounds, made a remarkable 105 three-point baskets as a senior and 214 the past two seasons. Ammons made the Southern Section Division V first team and the State Division V squad.

Phil Belin (Peninsula)--Belin, a 6-4 guard who averaged 18.3 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.5 assists, made 87% of his free throws as a junior. He was named the most outstanding player of the Bay League and was selected to the Division I second team. Stanford and Washington are among the colleges already recruiting Belin.

Leonard Butler (Serra)--An important factor in Serra’s success was the play of the 6-7 Butler. He was a force inside, averaging 17.5 points and 12.2 rebounds. Butler made the All-Del Rey team and was chosen to the Division IV first team. He was named to The Times’ South Bay second team in 1994.

Chris Croom (Morningside)--Although the 6-4, 190-pound Croom was not the South Bay’s tallest front-line player, he was one of the most physical. He averaged 13 points and 6.5 rebounds to lead the Monarchs to the Ocean League title. He was voted league most valuable player and was named to the Division III first team. He has been recruited by Loyola Marymount, Pepperdine and Long Beach State.

Brian Jones (Banning)--One of the most versatile players in the City Section, the 6-3 junior is expected to be among the top recruits in the South Bay next season. The guard averaged 18.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 6.3 assists to lead the Pilots to the 3-A semifinals. He was named 3-A co-player of the year and scored in double figures in 25 of 27 games.

Tremaine Mayeaux (Redondo)--Regarded among the top juniors in the state, the 6-4 Mayeaux joined Jones on the all-state junior team selected by Cal-Hi Sports. He averaged 15.9 points, 7.6 rebounds and 4.8 assists and was named most outstanding player in the Ocean League and was a Division III first-team selection. Among the schools recruiting him are Syracuse, Maryland, Connecticut, Virginia and Louisiana State.

Milton Palacio (Serra)--Despite the fact that he primarily was a point guard, the 6-3 Palacio was among the most offensive-minded players in the South Bay. He averaged 24.3 points, 8.1 rebounds and 5.4 assists. He was named to the Division IV first team and was also selected to the Division IV state team by Cal-Hi Sports.

Paul Pierce (Inglewood)--There were vast expectations for the 6-7 forward at the start of the season and he more than lived up to the challenge. Pierce averaged 27 points and 11 rebounds and was a dominant force with his inside strength and outside shooting. The Kansas-bound Pierce was named the state Division I player of the year by Cal-Hi Sports and demonstrated his prowess by scoring a game-high 28 points at the recent McDonald’s All-America game.

Brandon Price (Bishop Montgomery)--In a talented junior class, the 6-6 Price certainly has to be considered among the best in the South Bay. The forward averaged 18.9 points and 8.7 rebounds and made 77 three-point baskets. Regarded as a major-college prospect, Price was named MVP in two tournaments and made the Division III second team.

Bobby Terrell (Carson)--Although he is only 6-3, Terrell used his exceptional leaping ability to stamp himself as one of the premier inside players in the South Bay. He averaged 16.1 points and 8.6 rebounds and demonstrated outstanding leadership ability. He also was named to the City 4-A Division team.

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All-South Bay Boys

Name: Todd Ammons School: Chadwick Year: Senior Points: 20.6 Name: Phil Belin School: Peninsula Year: Junior Points: 18.3 Name: Leonard Butler School: Serra Year: Senior Points: 17.5 Name: Chris Croom School: Morningside Year: Senior Points: 13.0 Name: Brian Jones School: Banning Year: Junior Points: 18.5 Name: Tremaine Mayeaux School: Redondo Year: Junior Points: 15.9 Name: Milton Palacio School: Serra Year: Senior Points: 24.3 Name: Paul Pierce School: Inglewood Year: Senior Points: 27.1 Name: Brandon Price School: Bishop Montgomery Year: Junior Points: 18.9

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South Bay Boys’ Second Team

Player School Yr. Ht. Avg. Majid Armorajabi Rolling Hills Prep Sr. 6-4 20.0 Derek Brown South Torrance Sr. 6-1 14.6 John Foster-Keddie El Segundo Jr. 6-1 15.8 Doug Francis Redondo Jr. 6-4 15.7 Andrew Klein Peninsula Jr. 6-7 14.6 Anthony McNair Morningside Sr. 6-3 19.4 Kevin Polk Gardena Sr. 5-11 12.0 Jamar Reid Carson Sr. 6-1 10.1 Tommy Reyes Mary Star Jr. 6-1 21.2 Jan Thomas Inglewood Sr. 6-0 15.0