Price High School basketball players, from left, Richard Solomon, Casey Trujeque and Allen Crabbe signed their national letters of intent Wednesday. Solomon and Crabbe signed with California and Trujeque signed with Montana State. (Photo by Ron Guild)
Story Created:
Nov 12, 2009 at 3:41 PM PST
Story Updated:
Nov 12, 2009 at 3:41 PM PST
Nobody has a better perspective than Allen Crabbe on the magnitude of tiny Price High School having three of its basketball players sign national letters of intent on the same day.
Crabbe, a shooting guard who actually made his commitment a year ago, and center Richard Solomon signed with the University of California and point guard Casey Trujeque opted for Montana State Wednesday, the first day of the fall signing period.
The 17-year-old Crabbe has been at the 175-student South L.A. school located on the site of the Crenshaw Christian Center since he was in pre-school. He served as a ball boy during the program’s early years.
“This is pretty special,” Crabbe said. “I’ve been here since the age of four. It shows how the coach (Michael Lynch) has built up the program.”
“Over the years I’ve had eight or nine players sign, but never three at a time,” Lynch said. “For me, the significance of the day is what this says about the program.
“This is my 14th year and this shows how much we’ve grown. I had eight players total on my first team. To now have three players sign in one year is a tremendous achievement. It shows student-athletes are taking notice of the program.”
Crabbe, a four-year starter and already a two-time All-CIF and all-state selection, averaged 22 points per game for a 29-6 team that won a Southern Section IV-A title, but was ousted in the Southern Regional finals by a Bishop Montgomery team that included current teammate Solomon.
The decision to attend Cal was a fairly easy one for Crabbe.
“Me and my family thought this was the best fit,” he said. “Their style of play fits my game and I can go in and compete for a starting spot as a freshman.”
Lynch praised all three of his players, each of whom is on the school’s honor roll.
“If Allen stays humble, continues to work hard and keep his trust in God, there’s no reason he won’t get paid to play basketball down the road,” the coach said.
Trujeque wasn’t getting much recruiting attention because of his size (5-7) until Lynch contacted friends at Montana State, informing them he had a player they might want to take a look at.
“They came down here last year for our first tournament and fell in love with Casey,” he said.
Not only will Montana State be getting a good point guard, but they’ll be getting a good student, as well. He carries a 3.9 grade point average and was also recruited by Harvard and Columbia.
The 6-9 Solomon, the newcomer to the program, is a top 100 player nationally, according to scout.com. All the Pac-10 schools and Boston College were on his trail.
“He transferred here in March,” Lynch said. “It was incredibly surprising and super exciting to have a 6-9 guy pop into school.”
Because of this trio, many people are expecting nothing less than a State Division IV championship for Price, which won five State Division V titles from 2000-05.
Crabbe, who has yet to experience a state championship since joining the varsity, has set his goals high.
“We’re expected to win state and if we play together, we will,” he said.
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