USIU Signs Serra’s Smith and 6-7 Forward

SAN DIEGO — In keeping with his promise to recruit players from the area, United States International University basketball Coach Gary Zarecky Tuesday signed All-CIF San Diego Section guard Steve Smith of Serra High.

Zarecky, who recently completed his first season as the Gulls’ coach, also signed Terry Jackson, a 6-foot 7-inch forward from Baltimore, who is expected to improve the Gulls’ performance on the boards.

Smith, 6-1, was the City Eastern League’s co-player of the year. He averaged 17 points, 11.3 rebounds and 6.7 assists last season to lead the Conquistadors to first place in league and second in the section.

Jackson, who also will play for the Gull baseball team, should provide USIU with sound rebounding, an area it lacked last season. He averaged 14.2 rebounds for Catsonville Community College in Baltimore. Jackson, who will be a junior, averaged 21.2 points.

Zarecky has signed four freshmen and four community college transfers for next season.