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Dunleavy, Braxton named top hoopers The Associated Press PORTLAND -- Two relative newcomers to Oregon have been named the state's top Class 4A basketball players. Michael Dunleavy, who finished his two-year prep career by leading Beaverton's Jesuit High School to the state boys championship, was named boys player of the year by The Oregonian, as selected in a vote by the state's 4A coaches. Another Beaverton player, Kara Braxton of Westview, was named girl's player of the year in her first season in Oregon. She becomes the first sophomore to ever receive the honor. Three Southern Oregon Conference seniors were honored for their efforts this past season as well, with Eagle Point's Phil Garrett and North Medford's Jeff Zimmer named to the boys third team and North Medford's Ashlee Giles named to the girls third team. Garrett and Zimmer shared SOC boys player of the year honors, while Giles got the nod for SOC girls player of the year. The 6-foot-7 Garrett averaged 13.4 points per game in helping the Eagles (16-11) finish third in the SOC and within one victory of the state tournament. Zimmer averaged 14.5 points and 5.1 assists in leading the Black Tornado to the SOC championship and an overall record of 17-7. Giles did it all in leading North Medford (18-7) to a share of the SOC championship with Ashland, averaging 13.3 points, eight rebounds, 8.8 steals and 3.9 assists. Dunleavy ended up at Jesuit last season after his father, Mike Dunleavy, was hired as coach of the Portland Trail Blazers. The family had made previous stops in Los Angeles and Milwaukee. "I love it here," Michael Dunleavy said. "I liked L.A. because of the weather, but I've never been around so many nice people as I have here. It's been a great experience." Dunleavy, a 6-7 forward who will play at Duke next season, averaged 22.9 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 2.7 steals per game for the Crusaders as a senior. Also named to the all-4A first team were guards Blake Stepp of South Eugene, Terrance Green of Benson and O.J. Gulley of Reynolds. Post player Colin Oriard of Crescent Valley rounded out the team. Dunleavy was the only repeat player from last year. North Salem's Chuck Robinson, whose Vikings lost to Jesuit in the title game, was named coach of the year. After losing their first game of the year to Jefferson, the Crusaders finished 26-2, including 14-0 in the Metro League. Their only other loss was to nationally ranked Crenshaw of Los Angeles. Dunleavy had 22 points and 12 rebounds in the 65-38 championship win over North Salem, giving Jesuit its first state title. "After Jefferson beat us, I think that woke us up and set the tempo for the season," Dunleavy said. "We played well and rolled through the league." After Braxton transferred to Westview from Michigan, she seemed destined to lead the Wildcats to the state title. Although Westview fell short of those hopes, losing to eventual state champion South Eugene in the semifinals and then falling to Jesuit for sixth place in the tournament, Braxton was the clear choice for 4A girls player of the year. "She's a tremendous talent," said South Eugene coach Jim Denker, the 4A coach of the year. "Lindsey Yamasaki (the 1998 player of the year) was the best athlete I've been associated with, but Kara ranks right up there with her. In fact, she might even be better because of her size." The 6-5 Braxton averaged 18.8 points and 9.7 rebounds during the regular season, then averaged 22 points during the tournament. Denker's team, the Lady Axemen, won their second state title and were led by three players who made the all-state team. Senior wing player Wendy Gabbe was chosen to the first team, junior wing Megan Nelson made the second team and junior post Awbrey Willett was honorable mention. Also making the first team were seniors Sabrina Scott of Lakeridge, Jessica Hansen of Oregon City and Kate Murray of Jesuit. South Eugene has five juniors coming back next season, but Westview loses only one senior, making the Wildcats likely the favorite to win the title in 2000. Braxton has denied rumors that she and her twin sister, Kim, are leaving Westview and transferring to Portland's Benson. "I sat with my cousin, who goes to Benson, during the state tournament, and everyone thinks I'm transferring to Benson," Kara Braxton said. "We're not. We're staying at Westview." Today's Sports Index Mail Tribune Copyright� The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, OR U.S.A.