ALEMANY NOTEBOOK: COMMUNITY, SCHOOL CHEER ON ALEMANY GIRLS.

Byline: Rizza Yap Daily News Staff Writer

Alemany High girls' basketball coach Melissa Hearlihy can't escape the excitement. The buzz is all over school and the community. The Indians (27-6), who square off against San Francisco's Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep for the Division III state title on Saturday, may just be the first Alemany team to end its season on a winning note.

``Everyone just has so much faith in us,'' Hearlihy said. ``Just the other day I got flowers from an Alemany graduate who didn't even play basketball for me. I get cards and letters from people who don't even have kids at Alemany, but they went to our games and they're writing.

``We've come to a point where we're representing more than just Alemany. We're representing the community and that's a nice feeling.''

Working with mom: As he has done once or twice a week throughout the season, Hearlihy's 4-year-old son Josh hung out with mom during practice on Wednesday. Freshman forward Karina Siam said the team is used to taking instructions from Hearlihy while Josh is cradled on her hip or sitting atop her shoulders. But there is one incident Siam won't soon forget.

Early in the season, Hearlihy had to pause practice for five minutes to help Josh feed his virtual alien pet. Hearlihy recalled the moment with a laugh.

``Oh, we got rid of that guy pretty quick,'' she said. ``Needless to say, it died within two days.''

Scouting Sacred Heart: Hearlihy said the Fighting Irish (21-10) feature a point guard much like Alemany's Kelli Kobayashi. At 5-5, Crissy DeLuzio is an inch taller than Kobayashi. Both shoot well, pass effectively and exude confidence. And while Alemany starts both of its freshmen and keeps a more mature bench, the reverse is true for its opponent. The Indians play seven to eight girls, vs. five or six for the Fighting Irish.