While seven other Serra High football players decided on where they will go to college, top star all-around player Adoree Jackson was keeping quiet about it and was undecided until that National Signing Day on Feb. 5.
When the ceremony began in front of hundreds of Serra students, faculty, staff, parents and media, including the cable television crew from ESPNU, Jackson put on his University of Southern California cap as he signed a letter of intent to play for the Trojans, starting this fall.
While seven other Serra High football players decided on where they will go to college, top star all-around player Adoree Jackson was keeping quiet about it and was undecided until that National Signing Day on Feb. 5.
When the ceremony began in front of hundreds of Serra students, faculty, staff, parents and media, including the cable television crew from ESPNU, Jackson put on his University of Southern California cap as he signed a letter of intent to play for the Trojans, starting this fall.
Jackson, who was already California’s Mr. Football by Cal Hi Publications, CIF-Southern Section Western Division, Daily Breeze All-South Bay and Del Rey League Player of the Year for the eventual Western Division runner-up and Mission League champion Cavaliers, will be playing for first year head coach Steve Sarkesian, who grew up in Torrance, played football and baseball at West Torrance High, and football at El Camino College and USC. He is also a two-time all-American and participated in the Under Armour All-American All-Star Football Bowl in St. Petersburg, Fla. on Jan. 2. As a cornerback, which he will be expected to play in college, he had an interception in the end zone.
Jackson’s decision on USC over cross town rival UCLA, Louisiana State University and University of Florida came in a dream he had the just hours before.
“I had a vision and dreamed about playing at USC,” Jackson said. “That was pretty much it.”
Jackson already is setting goals at USC. He is definitely seeking to lead the Trojans to a national championship and be up for a future Heisman Trophy.
Adoree Jackson
Also with his outstanding track and field record that includes a national best mark of 25 feet in the long jump from last season and a California State Championship as a sophomore in the event in the 2012 season, Jackson is planning to enter the Trojans’ track and field team there.
Before then, though, he has one more track and field season, which will begin in a few weeks and is targeting the national prep record of 26 feet, 10 inches set in 2009 by Marquise Goodwin of Rowlett High School in Texas (ironically, Goodwin is currently a football teammate of Robert Woods with the Buffalo Bills. Woods was a national class sprinter and past teammate of Jackson at Gardena Serra High.)
“I want to be the first high school long jumper to go 27 feet and be among the world’s greatest,” Jackson said.
Jackson is also setting a goal to compete in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Jackson also has a top time of 10.47 seconds in the 100-meter dash in track and field and was a member of Serra’s state champion 4×100 and 4×400-meter relay teams that recorded times of 40.49 and 3:10.64 last season. The two titles also enabled the Cavaliers to win their second California state championship over second place Sherman Oaks Notre Dame, 47-26, on June 1 at Buchanan High’s Memorial Stadium in Clovis.
Jackson will join his two other Serra High teammates, linebacker Olajuwon Tucker and quarterback Jalen Greene at USC. Greene originally committed to Boise State, the de-commited to follow Coach Chris Peterson to Washington University. A few weeks ago, though, he switched allegiance to the Trojans.
Those three should have what could be like an intersquad game as their other Serra teammates, United States Army All-American All-Star Dwight Williams and defensive back-wide receiver Jordan Lasley, signed at UCLA.
“I’m already used to it,” Lasley said about his upcoming playing against his recent Cavalier teammates in their rivalry next fall and beyond. “I’m happy to be a Bruin and Adoree is happy to be a Trojan.”
Jackson is a five-star recruit, while Williams and Lasley are both three-star.
Another Serra standout, linebacker Glen Ihenacho, signed at another PAC-12 power, University of Oregon.
Other Cavalier football signees include Sam Akoteu (Fresno State) and Malachi Mageo (University of Hawaii).
“We have eight players going to major colleges,” Serra head coach Scott Altenberg, who went to UCLA and his late father, Kurt, was a standout on the Bruins’ 1965-66 football team that won their first Rose Bowl championship with a 14-3 upset win over Michigan State University, said. “They make their decisions. I’m excited about
National Signing Day was not just for football players. Serra had six other athletes sign, including girls’ basketball standout Chyanne Butler, who will be joining Jackson, Tucker and Greene at USC. Butler is a key transfer from St. Bernard, who lost head coach Bo Corona (now at Lawndale Leuzinger High) to dismissal and several top players left the school. Returning all-CIF Southern Section player Caila Hailey will be playing at another PAC-12 school, Washington State University.
Serra boys’ basketball standouts Ron Freeman and Tavrion Dawson signed at Cal State Fullerton and Cal State Northridge, in order.
The Cavaliers’ two returning all-American baseball players, Denz’l Chapman and Marcus Wilson, signed at San Diego State and Arizona State Universities, respectively. Both keyed Serra to its first CIF-Southern Section Division III crown with an 8-1 win over Manhattan Beach Mira Costa on May 31 at Dodger Stadium.
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Knights avenge earlier loss by topping cold Cavs
By Joe Snyder
GVN Correspondent
On Jan. 22, Serra High’s boys’ basketball team had an impressive showing in its thrilling 71-70 victory over Del Rey League rival Bishop Montgomery on Jan. 22 at Bishop Montgomery in Torrance.
With the Cavaliers hosting the Knights last Friday, hopes were high that Serra could get back the league crown it lost to Bishop Montgomery last season. Serra, though, went on to win the CIF-Southern Section Division IVAA crown over La Verne Lutheran, which stunned the top seed and nationally ranked Knights in the semifinals.
Unfortunately, Serra’s shots were unable to go through as they fell to Bishop Montgomery, 65-51.
The Knights’ victory also ended the Cavaliers’ 10-game winning streak with their last loss being in late December in the Modesto Christian Tournament.
Bishop Montgomery had a very good game by senior Stephen Thompson, Jr., who led all scorers with 30 points, including four three-point baskets.
Defensively, the Knights forced the Cavaliers into poor shooting and missing numerous inside shots, as well.
“It was not our night,” Serra’s 6-foot-8 center-forward Tavrion Dawson, who led the Cavaliers with 24 points, said. “Our shots were not falling.”
Long Beach State University-bound Justin Bibbins added 12 points and seven assists for Bishop Montgomery, which is now tied with the Cavaliers for the Del Rey lead at 6-1 and is 21-4 overall.
Serra is 18-7 overall.
With the Knights leading 32-31 at halftime, Ron Freeman gave the Cavaliers a one-point lead but baskets from Christian Oshita and Thompson gave Bishop Montgomery a 38-35 advantage and it never trailed from there.
Serra was able to cut the Knights’ lead to one on Dawson’s basket, but Bishop Montgomery went on a 7-0 run, then led 51-41 on Abdul Sheriff’s basket.
The Cavaliers shot poorly all around, especially in the second half as they failed to make a three-pointer and went a miserable 4-for-16 from the free throw line.
Besides Dawson, Serra failed to get any other player to score in double figures. Chez Lister chipped in nine points. The Cavaliers mustered just five fourth quarter points as the Knights pulled away.
Serra, though, had a big moment at the end of the fourth quarter on a half court buzzer beating three-pointer from Jason Richardson.
“It was a great win,” Thompson said. “We came out more aggressive than we came out last time. We started hitting our shots.”
Serra closed league at Bishop Amat High in La Puente last night.
Bishop Montgomery closed Del Rey action last Monday at home against La Salle.
In the CIF-Southern Section Division IVAA poll released last Monday, the Knights are the top ranked team and Serra is second. Both are on the Southern Section Open Division watch list, which is expected to be announced on Friday. Playoff pairings will be released.
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Serra ladies gear for showdown after blowing away Bishop Amat
By Joe Snyder
GVN Correspondent
Serra High’s girls’ basketball team is getting better and better and it showed in last Thursday’s key Del Rey League game at home against La Puente Bishop Amat.
The usually strong Lancers gave the Cavaliers all they could handle earlier in league but fell by six points.
Midway in the third period, Serra led only 28-23, then it was completely the Cavaliers from there as they finished the game with an impressive 37-3 run to turn a close game into a 65-26 blowout.
Serra used it with an effective full-court press and dominating rebounding, especially on offense.
It led to a number of putbacks from missed shots.
The Lady Cavaliers finished with 46 rebounds, 23 each on offense and defense.
Washington State University-bound Caila Hailey led Serra, which improved to 21-2 overall and 6-0 in the Del Rey League, with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Kayla Bibb added 15 points. Cydney Bolton contributed eight rebounds and five assists, and University of Southern California-bound Chyanne Butler chipped in 13 points.
Paulina Santana led Bishop Amat with 13 points, half of her team’s scoring.
Serra visited La Salle in Pasadena last Tuesday and finish league with its second showdown at home against rival Bishop Montgomery today at 5 p.m. In the previous meeting between the Cavaliers and Knights, Serra downed host Bishop Montgomery, 72-53, on Jan. 28.
The Lady Cavaliers are the top ranked team in CIF-Southern Section Division IVAA and are on the watch list for the prestigious Open Division, which is expected to be announced on Friday.
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New Millennium shows down with Douglass after 3 wins
By Joe Snyder
GVN Correspondent
Gardena High’s boys’ basketball team is facing a miserable season, but the school that shares its campus with in New Millennium is on the verge of making the CIF-Los Angeles City Section Division V playoffs.
New Millennium displays a 7-1 Ocean League record and improved their overall mark to 10-10 after two wins over Gertz-Ressler and a victory against Animo Jackie Robinson last week.
At Gardena High on Feb. 3, the New Millennium rolled over Gertz-Ressler, 73-43. At Animo Jackie Robinson in South L.A., the team had little trouble with a 56-27 win. Traveling to Gertz-Ressler, the Warriors rolled to a 59-30 win last Thursday.
New Millennium is at home for a big game against front running Douglass of Southwest L.A. today at 4 p.m. at Gardena High. Douglass routed the Warriors, 64-37, in their earlier meeting on Jan. 28 at Dorsey High.
Last Thursday, New Millennium was led by Elisha Okocha with 14 points and Michael Okochi with 13 points.
Jian-Jefferson Roberts keyed the Warriors with 26 points and 10 rebounds in their win over Animo Jackie Robinson.
Julian Walker had 17 points and Alvin Wessselhelt added 11 in New Millennium’s second win over Gertz-Ressler.
GHS Panthers
Gardena continues to be without a Marine League win.
At Carson on Feb. 3, the Panthers lost at Carson, 64-49. At Gardena on Feb. 5, the Panthers fell to King-Drew Medical Magnet, 69-45. At Narbonne last Monday, the first place Gauchos, head coached by last year’s Gardena coach Andre Hilliard, rolled to a 68-29 win.
The Panthers close league at home against Banning Friday at 7 p.m.
