Stating Her Case

Many of Michelle Greco’s awards are on display in a special showcase at the ESPN store in the Glendale Galleria.

Crescenta Valley High’s standout guard-forward probably appreciates the extra space around the house.

Greco finished her prep career as one of the most honored girls’ basketball players in state history, and all those trophies and plaques sure can clutter a house.

And now there is room for Greco’s second consecutive Cheryl Miller Award, presented annually by The Times to the top girls’ player in the Southland.

It is the latest in a barrage of postseason awards for the 5-foot-10 Greco, who will attend UCLA.

Last week, she was named a third-team Parade All-American, the only California player named on the magazine’s four-team list.

Earlier, Greco had been named state player of the year by both Cal-Hi Sports and a major soft drink company.

“They just seem to keep coming,” said Greco of the awards. “It’s very flattering.”

She finished her prep career with 2,397 points, sixth on the Southern Section’s all-time list.

Miller, who played at Riverside Poly from 1978-82, is the leader with 3,446 points.

Like Miller, Greco was an All-Southern Section choice in each of her four seasons.

She led Crescenta Valley to three consecutive Pacific League titles. As a junior, she scored 54 points in a single state playoff game.

“Michelle Greco has been the cornerstone of our foundation and has shown us how to win here,” Crescenta Valley Coach Damian Scribner said.

Only one award eluded Greco at Crescenta Valley: the Southern Section championship.

Greco’s team lost in the quarterfinals when she was a freshman, the semifinals when she was a sophomore and in the final when she was a junior.

A title seemed the natural progression for her senior campaign, and was well within reach when Greco led the Falcons into the Division I-AA playoffs seeded first with a 23-2 record.

The Falcons, however, fell to El Toro on a last-second shot in the quarterfinals.

“I still can’t believe it,” Greco said. “That’s what I wanted more than anything and I didn’t get it.”

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Girls’ Player of Year

CHERYL MILLER AWARD WINNERS

1998--Michelle Greco, Crescenta Valley

1997--Michelle Greco, Crescenta Valley

1996--Maylana Martin, Perris

1995--Jody Parriott, Cerritos Valley Christian

1994--Olympia Scott, Playa del Rey St. Bernard

1993--Timicha Kirby, Lynwood

1992--Charisse Sampson, Washington

1991--Tamika Phillips, Ontario Chaffey