ATKINS GETS HIS LIFE BACK ON TRACK.

Byline: GERRY GITTELSON GITTELS 'N' BITS

Bubba Atkins is an inspiration to anyone who has dealt with adversity.

A former standout wide receiver and defensive back at Cleveland High in Reseda, Atkins wasn't able to accept a football scholarship to Washington State last year because he didn't score well enough on his college entrance exam.

Admittedly, Atkins had poor study habits. But he also dealt with some serious family issues, including the suicide of his father five years ago.

Rather than enroll at a junior college, Atkins spent the past year working with private tutors and studying five hours a day to help raise his ACT score. The hard work finally paid off this week when he earned a qualifying test score, enabling him to accept the scholarship to Washington State.

``It was my own personal challenge, and when I got the news that I passed the ACT, I just cried in my grandmother's arms,'' Atkins said.

He had plenty of motivation to succeed.

``When my dad died, my family took a tumble, and my mom is still struggling financially, so I told her I'm doing this for her and going straight to Washington State. Sports only took me so far, because my whole life I just wasn't a student. I guess I'm an example to anyone that you just can't give up. I'm trying to be someone.''

Ramon Perry, a former San Fernando High football standout, can relate to Atkins. Perry didn't meet NCAA academic reqirements coming out of high school, either. But after bouncing around for a couple of years -- he played one season at College of the Canyons -- he finally got his act together at Pierce College and earned a football scholarship to West Texas A&M, a Division II college.

Perry has found a new home in Texas, and after two solid seasons with the Buffaloes he has his eyes set on a potential NFL career.

``I just had too many distractions (in California), but I'm doing well here. I love Texas,'' Perry said. ``I'm majoring in criminal justice but I want to shoot for the stars and try to make it to the NFL.''

Perry isn't concerned he might be undersized for pro football at 5- foot-9.

``I don't think that will be a factor because I can run a 4.440-yard dash, and I bench-press 305 pounds,'' he said. ``But I think the most important thing a football player needs is to have character. I've learned that here.''

Word around town is Eugene Phillips is the best basketball dunker in the Valley. I had to see for myself, so I took in a Taft of Woodland Hills practice last week to get an up-close look at the 6-foot-4 Vince Carter wannabe.

After watching him in action, I'm convinced the talk is legit. Phillips, a junior forward, is a terrific all-around player and a key reason the Toreadors will compete for the City Section title. But it's his ability to electrify fans with his rim-rattling dunks that separates him from the typical high school player.

Phillips said he doesn't have a favorite dunk.

``I've got a lot of them. I just like dunking a lot because it gets me energized,'' Phillips said.

Phillips is the latest in a long line of great Taft dunkers, including Jordan Farmar, Al Brown, Harold Shevlin and David Enzer.

Speaking of Oaks Christian, punter Jason Salter has the loneliest job in high school football, with about one punt per game for the high-scoring Lions, who average 57 points and more than 500 yards per contest.

Don't feel bad for Crespi High of Encino's wrestling team just because state heavyweight champion Sione Fua has graduated.

Fua's freshman brother, Alani, could follow in his footsteps, according to coach Mike Odman.

Cosmo Moore, a 6-foot-10, 330-pounder who most consider the biggest football player ever in the San Fernando Valley, no longer has aspirations of being a professional wrestler.

Moore has turned his attention to coaching, spending the past season as an assistant JV football coach at Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks, his alma mater.

John Lister is making a name for himself as a sophomore running back at Thousand Oaks High, rushing for 1,191 yards and 11 touchdowns. But he might make an even bigger impact this spring in baseball.

Lister, who led Conejo Valley Little League to the World Series Final two years ago in Williamsport, Pa., hit 12 home runs in 13 games with the freshman team last year.

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