AVC NOTEBOOK: AVC RETURNS TO CONTENTION.

Byline: Sean Ceglinsky Staff Writer

The Antelope Valley College men's basketball team has played itself back in the playoff picture with a four-game winning streak.

And the defending Foothill Conference champions get a shot at first- place Mt. San Jacinto on the road Friday at 7 p.m in a game with major implications in the conference standings.

The Marauders (18-7, 7-3) trail second-place San Bernardino Valley (15-6) by a game and Mt. San Jacinto (19-5) by two.

It's been a tough climb back. AVC had an eight-game winning streak early in the season and was ranked as high as No. 2 in Southern California.

But a three-game losing streak, including setbacks against Mt. San Jacinto and San Bernardino Valley in January, put AVC in danger of failing to make the playoffs.

To qualify, AVC needs to be ranked among the top 15 teams in the California Community College Men's Basketball Coaches Association poll. The Marauders currently are No. 7, and victories in their final four games will solidify them as the contender once again.

``We're one of the best teams in Southern California when we want to be,'' coach Newton Chelette said. ``Being at our best on a consistent basis is key.''

--Paint presence: Jonathan Holland is a big reason for Antelope Valley's success. The 6-foot-10 sophomore center scored a career-high 34 points on 14-of-16 shooting from the field and added 12 rebounds against Chaffey on Monday in his best all-around performance of the season.

Holland, who averages 12 points and eight rebounds a game, has showed flashes of solid play, but Monday's game could be a turning point for him and the team.

With a scoring presence in the low block, Chelette can be more flexible in designing plays for guards Mike Webb and Wendell White, both of whom average a team-high 19 points and figure to benefit with more open looks.

``Jonathan takes up space,'' Chelette said. ``He's always had the size and the tools. Now, he's using them.''

--No longer any doubt: The women's basketball team took sole possession of first place in the Foothill Conference on Monday with an 80-59 victory over visiting Chaffey, which also entered the game undefeated in conference play.

Antelope Valley (19-6, 9-0) moved a half-game ahead of Chaffey (17-7, 9-1) with five games remaining, none of which figure to pose much of a threat to the Marauders.

Antelope Valley, ranked No. 9 in the state, has won 23 consecutive conference games dating to last season and is outscoring opponents by more than 30 points a game.

--Back in the swing: The baseball team plays its season opener Friday against East L.A. College at 2 p.m. in Monterey Park and again Saturday at noon.

Antelope Valley plays its first home game of the season Tuesday against Valley at 2 p.m but won't return home for two weeks as it departs on a six-game trip.

The team returns home for its Foothill Conference opener Feb. 26 against San Bernardino Valley at 2:30 p.m.

--Well-traveled: The softball team completes a three-game trip today with a nonconference matchup against Glendale at 3 p.m. Its home opener is Thursday against Valley at 3 p.m.

Life in Lancaster will be a short-lived experience for the team, which departs on a seven-game road trip, comes back for a home game March 8, then takes off for five more away games.

Antelope Valley opens Foothill Conference play March 22 against visiting Chaffey at 3 p.m.

Sean Ceglinsky, [phone]

sean.ceglinsky(at)dailynews.com