AVC NOTES: ANTELOPE VALLEY'S TALENTS FINALLY COME TO THE SURFACE.

Byline: Chris Cocoles Daily News Staff Writer

What could have been a Titanic-like week for the Antelope Valley College basketball team was salvaged Saturday.

The Marauders' iceberg was a surging San Bernardino Valley team. But coach Newton Chelette's crew strayed away from dangerous waters and sank its two-game losing streak.

The 80-66 win uncovered several hidden talents rarely shown by the Marauders, particularly during two losses earlier in the week.

Ziaire Williams proved he can defend just as well as score. He hounded Indians' 25-point scorer Ricky Smith all night, the fellow freshman missing 20 of 26 field-goal attempts.

Center Le'Tre Kelly displayed his underrated outside shooting skills, connecting on his second 3-pointer of the season.

AVC made the statistic sheet a moot factor, controlling San Bernardino much of the night despite grabbing nine offensive rebounds to the Indians' 24.

And the Marauders perhaps finally grasped the idea never to take any of their games for granted. Monday's 82-70 humiliation to 3-16 Rio Hondo was the final blow in a season of defeats to underdogs.

``We've learned from our losses,'' said Kelly, who scored 17 points and grabbed five rebounds on Saturday. ``When we've beaten the top teams we've gotten big heads. We can't take anybody lightly.''

Chelette was relieved to get his Marauders turned in the right direction again after falling to 13-8 with the losses to Rio Hondo and MSJC.

``I was concerned we might tank it (Saturday) and open (Foothill) Conference play with three straight losses,'' Chelette said. ``We needed something to pick us up.''

Defense plan: Chelette called Williams aside prior to the San Bernardino game.

``I challenged him,'' Chelette said of the talented freshman from Antelope Valley High. ``He's the most athletic guy on the court for us, but he needs to step up his play.''

Chelette called Williams' performance against the Indians ``a pretty complete game.''

While shackling Smith (who finished with 14 points), Williams led his team in points (18), rebounds (nine) and assists (three, along with point guard Trevor Beal). The 6-foot-4 swingman was 4 for 5 from behind the 3-point line.

Conference call: AVC went 3-2 against the Foothill Conference's South Division. The Marauders' quest for a fourth consecutive North Division championship begins on Wednesday, when Victor Valley visits for a 7:15 p.m. game.

Ironically, the Rams are the only divisional opponent to beat AVC during the past three championship years.

On Feb. 1, 1995, host Victor Valley beat the Marauders 93-83 in overtime.

Women's basketball: The Marauders are hanging in the Foothill Conference race.

Kristin Phillips led four Marauders in double figures with 17 in a 73-50 road rout of Mt. San Jacinto on Friday night to improve to 3-2 in league games.

AVC showed it can score points in bunches, blitzing the Eagles during a 23-3 run that consumed just three minutes off the clock.

Unlike the men, which split the conference into North and South Divisions, the AVC women play an 18-game, double round-robin schedule. The 8-11 Marauders host Desert tonight at 7:15.