ANTELOPE VALLEY COLLEGE: A SEASON OF EMOTIONS FOR CHELETTE AVC HOOPS COACH ENDURED MUCH MORE THAN A MEDIOCRE RECORD.

Byline: Sean Ceglinsky Staff Writer

When Newton Chelette was faced with adversity this season, he was resilient. He had no choice.

He'd endured many ups and downs in his previous 12 years as coach of the AVC men's basketball team. But nothing like this season, which ended Saturday with an 82-77 loss to host Long Beach City in the first round of the Southern California playoffs.

Foremost, Chelette lost his mother, Bea, to breast cancer.

``It was really difficult,'' said Chelette, referring to flying with his family to their hometown of Jennings, La., for the funeral. ``It's still difficult.''

On a professional level, Chelette became the school's all-time winningest coach when he got victory No. 272, 72-53 over Rio Hondo, on Feb. 8. He broke the record set by Bob Murray, but Chelette did it in 10 fewer years.

``It's been a very emotional year, more so than any of the 26 years I've ever coached,'' Chelette said. ``I hope I never have another season of emotions like this past one. It was unbelievable. At times, almost unbearable.''

Chelette doesn't think much of his record now and maintains this year's Marauders team, which finished 16-16 - the worst in Chelette's tenure at AVC - is one of his favorites.

``We had an exceptional group of young men who worked hard this year,'' he said. ``I wouldn't trade their character for anything.

``It might be nice to look back on the record when I'm finished coaching, but right now I'm more concerned with recruiting for next season.''

Obviously, Chelette has more winning to do.

--One and done: Making its first appearance in three years in the Southern California playoffs, the women's basketball team also lost Saturday in the first round, 64-51 to host L.A. Valley.

Tina Carrillo, one of only four sophomores on the team, epitomized the Marauders' hustling brand of play.

Midway through the first half, Carrillo dived to the floor for a loose ball. After colliding with an Valley player, Carrillo needed eight stitches to close a cut on her forehead. The Palmdale High graduate returned in the second half and finished with eight points.

``It was pretty damn intense,'' said first-year AVC coach John Taylor, referring to the play of both teams. ``Unfortunately, we couldn't put the ball in the hole. We played hard though and you can't ask for more than that.''

Considering the game was Taylor's first at L.A. Valley - the program he coached the previous 12 seasons, the last seven as head coach - the intense level of play was understandable.

``It was a little funny being back at Valley,'' Taylor said. ``Everyone was nice before and after the game, just not during.''

The Marauders ended the season 19-15. Taylor said the keys for next season will be a solid recruiting class and the return of leading scorer Kristel Jones and point guard Jameka Taylor.

``It was hard coming here (AVC), without being able to recruit,'' he added. ``I thought our record could've been a little better, but we'll have six players back next year. The experience we gained in this year's playoffs will be huge next year.''