Udeze, Becker Earn Mission League Honor

Omelogo Udeze of Harvard-Westlake and Kate Beckler of Alemany have been selected Mission League co-players of the year in girls’ basketball.

Udeze, a senior forward, averaged more than 20 points and 11 rebounds for the Wolverines, who advanced to the state Division III final.

Beckler, a junior guard, averaged 24 points and 3.6 assists for the Indians, who advanced to the Southern Section Division III-AA semifinals.

* Guard Kelly Murray of Buena has committed to UC Irvine.

* Former Notre Dame High basketball player Jamie Dixon, a men’s assistant at Hawaii, will become the top assistant at Pittsburgh. Dixon previously served as an assistant to new Pittsburgh Coach Ben Howland at Northern Arizona.

VOLLEYBALL

The Royal High boys’ volleyball team finished second in the 30-team Dos Pueblos tournament, losing to Loyola, 15-6, in the championship match Saturday.

Middle blocker Cam Dickson and setter Matt Janousek were all-tournament selections for Royal.

In a showdown between Mission League teams, Harvard-Westlake lost to Loyola, 17-15, in the quarterfinals. Outside hitter Bill Strickland was selected all-tournament for the Wolverines, who lost a 14-13 lead.

Loyola middle blocker Curt Toppel was the tournament’s most valuable player.

FYI

Bill 338, which would require state public colleges and universities to give one-year notice before eliminating sports programs, will be discussed Wednesday by the state legislature.

The bill, introduced in February by Sen. Cathie Wright (R-Simi Valley), was, in part, prompted by Cal State Northridge’s decision in the summer of 1997 to eliminate four men’s sports teams--baseball, soccer, volleyball and swimming. All four sports eventually were reinstated.

Supporters of the bill are asking constituents to fax Sen. Wright at (916) 324-7544 with short letters outlining their feelings.

* Birmingham High is accepting applications for boys’ basketball coaches at the junior varsity, sophomore and freshman levels. Applicants should contact Al Bennett at Birmingham: (818) 881-1580, ext. 108.