The next debate for Stanley Johnson will be how he measures up to the best collegiate basketball players in the nation, because there is no question as to where the 6’6 Mater Die ranks among all-time Southern California greats.

You might say well he played in Orange County, and my response to that is Mater Dei is located in Orange County. Johnson demonstrated that he is clearly the best ever from the storied Monarchs program, leading his team to four consecutive State championships.

I ask you, what other player has ever achieved that from their freshman to season?

So, now as he plays his final high school game in the Jordan Brand Classic on April 18 the question is how good will he be at Arizona next fall.

Pay close attention because he will not be there for long, one year at best, two seasons is not even thinkable.

Each and every season, Johnson has either added or elevated an element to his game. As a freshman it was just his sound fundamentals, and work ethic. As a sophomore it was his mid range game, as a junior he added the three to his arsenal and became a monster rebounder. Did I mention his passing ability?

So, in a no brainer Stanley Johnson is the Los Angeles Sentinel Player of the Year.

Girl’s basketball is a different matter. Clearly there are more accomplished players than our sentinel Player of the Year Jordin Canada who is headed to UCLA just to name a few.

However, I am going right down Crenshaw Blvd. for the girl who is the Los Angeles sentinel Player of the Year. Mareshah Farmer of View Park. This young lady was among the most outstanding players in the region. 

Farmer, who has signed with Cal State L.A., scored a City-best 29.2 points per game while leading the Knights to the Division 5 title and the state regional semifinals.

Her season was highlighted by a 50-point outing against Manual Arts and six quadruple-doubles (double figures in scoring, rebounding, assists and steals).

Besides the scoring, the 5-9 Farmer also had averages of 9.9 rebounds, 8.0 assists and 7.9 steals. Name any player, boy or girl to achieve that.

Los Angeles Sentinel boys Coach of the Year is St. John Bosco’s Derrick Taylor who piloted the Braves to the State Division II championship during one his most trying seasons.

After first living up to lofty expectations during the regular losing early to Mayfair and Westchester he kept his poise.

Taylor lost one of the most talented freshman to transfer, maintained patience with headstrong junior Tyler Dorsey and senior star Daniel Hamilton.

While he certainly has a lot of talent, he had demonstrated over and over his ability to adapt and continue to win games. He captured his 300 victory of the season and winning State was just the icing on the cake.

There isn’t a more accomplished girls basketball coach than Carl Buggs of Long Beach Poly, although new shooters from schools such as Windward pop of along the way.

Buggs and his wife Lakeisha are the heart and soul of the Lady Jackrabbits basketball program, which easily rivals the storied football and boys basketball programs.

 

After winning the first Open Division title, Poly is already the favorite to win it all again next year. In 15 season, Bugs has coached his team in 25 Sectional or State title games, a beyond remarkable achievement. The Los Angeles Sentinel Girls Coach of the Year was an overwhelming choice.

All Los Angeles Sentinel Team

W Chemezie Metu   6’9 Jr. Lawndale

W Daniel Hamilton 6’8 Sr. St. John Bosco (U-Conn)

W Elijah Stewart Sr. Westchester

G   Jordan McGlaughlin 6’3 Sr. Etiwanda (USC)

G   Justin Bibbins 5’9 Sr. Bishop Montgomery (Long Beach State)

 

Player of the Year Stanley Johnson Mater Dei  (Arizona)

Coach of the Year Derek Taylor St. John Bosco

 

Second Team

W Stephen Thompson 6’5 Jr. Bishop Montgomery

W Leland Green 6’4 Soph Redondo Union

C   Chance Comanche 6’11 Jr. View Park

G   Kendall Small 5’10 Jr. Mayfair

G   Max Hazzard   5’10 Jr. Loyola

 

Girls All Los Angeles Sentinel Team

Alyssa Benton 6’1 Sr. Millikan

Amy Okonkwo 6’1 Sr. Etiwanda 

Lajahna Drummer 6’3 L.B. Poly

Jordin Canada 5’9 Winward

Camille Mills 5’7 Mira Costa

 

Mareshah Farmer 5’9 View Park Player of the Year

Coach of the Year Carl Buggs Long Beach Poly