AVC NOTEBOOK: AVC EARNS STATE HONORS.

Byline: Sean Ceglinsky Staff Writer

The Antelope Valley College men's basketball team came up a game short of its goal when it lost 79-66 to American River in the semifinals of the State Championship Tournament on Friday.

But the setback did little to sour what was one of the program's best seasons.

Mike Webb and Wendell White were selected to the All-State team Monday by the California Community College Men's Basketball Association. Marauders coach Newton Chelette was named the state's coach of the year for the second time in his 15 years with the program. He also earned the honor in 1997.

``I felt like Mike and Wendell were both capable of making all-state,'' Chelette said of the backcourt tandem, which became the first two players in the program's history to be named to the all-state team in the same season.

``Funny thing is, the three of us would trade in the awards for one more victory and a state title.''

Compton beat American River 82-77 on Saturday in the championship game.

Antelope Valley (25-8) can take consolation in the fact it advanced further than any team since the 1956 Marauders that lost in the state championship game.

``They say this was the best year in the history of the school,'' Chelette said. ``It certainly gave us something to build on.

``This was a special group. There wasn't a better functioning team in America. It was great to sit back and watch them come together. This is why I coach, to be a part of the incredible ride we had.''

--Dedication: Game after game, Mike Smith's approach to baseball never changes. The freshman plays hard, regardless of the circumstance.

Never mind the fact the team is struggling at 3-12. To make matters worse, Antelope Valley has lost four in a row and 11 of its past 12.

But for as bad as things are, Smith's play remains a bright spot. The Palmdale High graduate leads the team in hitting and ranks seventh in conference with a .392 batting average. He also leads the Marauders in hits, runs, RBI and stolen bases.

At 5-foot-5, 130 pounds, he certainly doesn't strike fear into most. Yet his average was as high as .450 through the first eight games.

The only thing Smith doesn't do is pitch and that might not be such a bad idea considering the Marauders staff ranks eighth out of nine conference teams with a 6.92 ERA.

Smith and the Marauders have a lull in their schedule and don't play again until March 25 at Mt. San Jacinto. In the meantime, Smith, a tireless worker, will take extra swings in batting practice.

--Honor roll: Shacauna Woods was named to the All-State team Monday by the California Community College Women's Basketball Association, and teammate Laurie Hodges was selected to the All-Southern California Regional team.

Woods, a 5-foot-11 center who averaged a 14 points per game, also was named Foothill Conference Player of the Year. Woods was named first-team all-conference, along with Renita Mitchell and Tiffany Spottiswood.

AVC coach John Taylor was named the conference's coach of the year for the second consecutive time.

Sean Ceglinsky, [phone]

sean.ceglinsky(at)dailynews.com