'TO TAKE A STAND' LANCASTER SENIOR BENEFITS FROM HARD WORK IN SUMMER.

Byline: Gideon Rubin Staff Writer

LANCASTER - Since making the varsity as a freshman, many thought Lancaster's Kelli Valentine quickly would become an impact player in the Golden League.

Now a senior, Valentine only recently has become a believer.

Despite being a four-year varsity starter, a first-team all-league selection as a sophomore and an honorable-mention pick last season, when she led Lancaster to its best season in school history, Valentine had doubts about her ability.

``I thought I was just regular,'' she said. ``I never thought as highly of myself as everyone else did because I know my weaknesses better than anyone else.''

But after renewing focus in the summer, Valentine is trying to take her career and her team further. She's among the team's leading scorers, averaging 13 points, as a post player.

Valentine said her experience at several summer basketball camps, where she held her own against elite-level competition, bolstered her confidence and sparked a desire to succeed.

``I realized going to these camps that I have the potential, but that I just wasn't giving it my all,'' she said. ``I wanted to give my all.''

Valentine said the Snow Valley camp at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, where clinics began at 6 a.m., impacted her the most.

``It must have just pulled something out of me,'' she said. ``It just inspired me to pull everything together from my past three years and want to come out and really do something this year.

``I wanted to take a stand.''

Encouraged to assume a leadership role by her father, former major- league baseball standout Ellis Valentine, Kelli began to show those qualities shortly after returning from the Snow Valley camp. She invited her Lancaster teammates to train at her home, and nearly the entire team - except those who had volleyball commitments - began a rigorous program that included running up to four times a week.

Despite missing several games recently after aggravating an ankle injury she suffered as a freshman, Valentine continues to exert a positive influence on teammates, said teammate Desiree Butler, who also attended the Snow Valley camp.

``She's showing leadership even though she's hurt by coming out here doing what she can without putting too much pressure on herself,'' Butler said. ``It shows the other teammates that maybe if you're hurt you don't have to just sit home and complain about it, you can come out here on the court and still do certain things.''

Valentine hopes to play in college and has been recruited by several Division II programs, including San Francisco State and Redlands.

She realizes that at 6-foot, she'd likely have to play forward or even guard in college and has made a point of working on her ball-handling skills.

Lancaster coach John Gallen believes Valentine can play in college.

``She's a well-rounded player,'' he said. ``She gives us a good inside presence, and she's pretty quick for a big girl.''

Gallen said he's always liked Valentine's attitude and hustle, and her commitment to improving her game this season is even more impressive.

``It's shown me that she has some desire to get better,'' he said. ``She's put in the time, and she's made the commitment to get better.''

Gideon Rubin [phone]

gideon.rubin(at)dailynews.com

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Lancaster senior Kelli Valentine is a four-year varsity starter who is is averaging 13 points a game this season.

Jeff Goldwater/Staff Photographer