Antelope Valley Running at Head of the Pack Again

For those who thought Antelope Valley’s dominance in the Golden League would subside with the end of football season, think again.

Coaches are making the same comments they were in August: concede first place to the Antelopes and concentrate on making the playoffs.

Antelope Valley has streaked to a 10-4 record with a blend of speed and power, inside scoring and outside scoring and defense.

They have balanced scoring, with Ziarre Williams (14.4), Le’tre Kelly (14.3) and Tony Walker (14.3) leading the attack.

But you never know who might emerge as the hero: guard Jon Norman made a buzzer-beating shot from beyond halfcourt last week to beat Simi Valley, 81-78, in the Hart tournament.

And yet, Coach Tom Mahan could be happier.

“We’re still sputtering,” he said. “We’ve had only four practices and nine games since football ended.

“We’re not clicking like I’d like to. We’ve got kids that are young. But they work hard and they are learning together.”

Golden League coaches must hate to hear that, but the Antelopes still have to prove they can beat three-time defending champion Palmdale--a young team that is probably less talented and makes more mistakes than last season’s squad, but doesn’t expect to lose.

The Falcons have only one returning starter but will open up Friday against Highland with a 10-6 record against some tough nonleague competition.

“They don’t want to break the string of league titles,” Palmdale Coach Garry Phelps said. “But having lost nine seniors, I would call [our record] surprising.”

Palmdale still has one of the league’s premier scorers, junior center Steve Eernisse, who averages 23 points. Highland has the Golden’s best shooter in John Burrell, who averages just over 30 points. Even without a supporting cast, Burrell will keep the Bulldogs in the playoff hunt.

But, like others, Highland Coach Tim Knight said Antelope Valley might have too much ability.

“They’ve got two real good guards, four big strong guys to man the post and two excellent shooters off the bench,” Knight said. “You don’t mind playing some teams that are better than you, because you might be able to exploit a weakness. But AV does everything well.”

Around the League

ANTELOPE VALLEY

1994-95: 13-9, 3-7

The Antelopes have size, quickness, depth and, most important, balanced scoring. Opponents can’t be concerned with stopping one player because Le’tre Kelly, Ziaire Williams, Tony Walker and Marc Buckner all average over 11 points per game. Milton Wynn, Trent Searcy, Jon Norman and Moose Ramos add depth and scoring.

HIGHLAND

1994-95: 20-7, 7-3

Hard work hasn’t always paid off for the Bulldogs, who opened the week 7-7. They might have been 8-6 if not for a three-point shot at the buzzer in the third-place game of last week’s Hart tournament. Highland has lost twice to Canoga Park, No. 2 in The Times’ Valley poll. The Bulldogs expect to challenge for a playoff berth but someone must step up to help senior forward John Burrell, who averaged 30 points, with the scoring load. The best possibilities are capable guards Mike Paul and Michael Fawcett.

LITTLEROCK

1994-95: 15-10, 6-4

With first-year Coach Greg Madison (who played for Garry Phelps at Palmdale in the late ‘70s) making changes in team strategy, the Lobos figured to take one step backward in hopes of moving a few steps forward. The result, however, was a 4-8 start. So far, senior guard Bronson Pitts has been the bright spot. But it remains to been seen if victories over Montclair Prep and Paraclete will get the Lobos ready for Golden League play.

PALMDALE

1994-95: 19-8, 8-2

Coach Garry Phelps has several holes to fill on a squad with three consecutive league titles to defend. But a 10-6 record for a team that could start four juniors has been a pleasant surprise. Steve Eernisse, a 6-5 junior center, averages 23 points. Junior guard Markus Carr averages 15 points and five assists. Theo Carino, a 5-8 guard, had nine steals in one game and made eight of eight shots in another. But the Falcons still lack size and experience.

QUARTZ HILL

1994-95: 4-18, 0-10

The Rebels don’t figure to be winless again, but they don’t seem capable of a complete turnaround either. Quartz Hill lacks size, bulk and team speed, and must compensate with intelligence. All-league honorable mention guard Brad Hazard has emerged as a scoring leader. The Rebels (4-6) have already matched their victory total of last season but must be concerned that they usually score in the 30s and 40s.

RIDGECREST BURROUGHS

1994-95: 16-10, 6-4

Only two players return from the last season’s third-place team--center Karl Lopez and guard Rodney Brisco. Lopez, 6-3, averages 11.5 points and nine rebounds. Brisco, 6-1, averages 13.5 points. But they have no supporting cast.