BAKERSFIELD DUO HAS FOOTHILL CONNECTION TARVER, LORING BOND, CSUB OFF TO FAST START.

Byline: Kirby Lee Special to the Daily News

BAKERSFIELD - Kelley Tarver and Jessie Loring weren't exactly the best of friends when they played girls' basketball at Foothill League rivals Valencia and Saugus highs, but it hasn't taken long for them to bond in their first season as teammates at Cal State Bakersfield.

Tarver and Loring, who have helped the Division II Roadrunners to a 13-1 start, had never really spoken until CSUB started recruiting them.

Now they're part of a tight-knit group that is atop the California Collegiate Athletic Association standings at 6-1 heading into Friday's game at Cal State Monterey Bay.

``I knew of (Loring) because of basketball,'' Tarver said, ``but I didn't know her personally.''

Said Loring: ``We were always cool, but we weren't tight.''

Tarver, a 5-foot-8 freshman guard from Valencia, and Loring, a 6-1 junior forward, from Saugus by way of College of the Canyons, have grown tight since preseason workouts began last year. The Roadrunners, who have four first-year starters, have bonded during impromptu late-night shootarounds and three-on-three pickup games that often go well past midnight.

``Whether we're tired or sore, we're going to the gym to work on our shooting over and over.'' said Tarver, CSUB's fourth-leading scorer (12.5 points per game) and No. 2 rebounder (5.1 per game). ``We knew there would be some close games. but we have faith and confidence in each other.''

Loring, who ranks third in scoring (13.0) and rebounding (4.9), agrees.

``It is so weird to be part of a team that has meshed with all our personalities,'' she said. ``It's one of the best experiences that I have had on a team. We don't have any hate or dislike. When we have problems, we set them aside.''

Loring was a two-time Foothill League Offensive Most Valuable Player at Saugus and two-time All-Western State Conference player at COC. Tarver, a Foothill League Co-MVP last season, is Valencia's all-time scoring leader.

Among their teammates is fellow Foothill League product Christine Kepenekian, a freshman guard from Burbank High.

Luring Loring and Tarver to Bakersfield from the Santa Clarita Valley wasn't difficult for fifth-year coach Tim La Kose, a Cal State Northridge graduate who spent eight years at Cal Lutheran, where he's the women's basketball program's winningest coach.

Heading north provided them a chance to get away from home without being too far away, and CSUB's move next season from Division II to Division I promised a chance to play at the highest level.

Loring is the third COC player to join La Kose at CSUB, following Sharkia Jones, the Roadunners' starting point guard last season, and forward Ofolangi Mailangi.

Loring said two seasons at COC readied her for Division II basketball. Tarver's transition has been facilitated by the Roadrunners' unity.

``The level of competition is better than high school,'' she said, ``but we have really good chemistry.''

La Kose is most impressed with Tarver's versatility and Loring's ability to score and rebound.

Tarver chose the Roadrunners over Arizona and Howard.

``I just fell in love with the program,'' she said. ``I didn't think about having an immediate impact or starting. I liked the group of girls and the coaching staff.''

Loring decided on CSUB after receiving strong interest from La Kose. She had hoped to attend UC Santa Barbara, but the Gauchos didn't express interest. The Roadrunners' 74-72 victory over UCSB in a season-opening exhibition was particularly satisfying for herg.

``I didn't really care if Bakersfield was Division I or Division II,'' Loriing said. ``It wasn't big, but it is a winning program. A lot of the (big schools) never made offers, and I was their second or third choice. I wanted to be at a place where there would be more playing time and more part of a team.''

TWO ROADRUNNERS

Valencia High product Kelley Taver and former Saugus High/College of the Canyons standout Jessie Loring have helped Cal State Bakersfield to a 13-1 record in their first seasons at the four-year level.

Name: Jessie Loring.

Height: 6-1.

Position: Forward.

Class: Junior.

High School: Saugus.

Junior College: Canyons.

Career Highlights: 2003-04, 2004-05 All-Western State Conference selection at COC; two-time Foothill League Offensive Most Valuable Player at Saugus.

Name: Kelley Tarver.

Height: 5-8.

Position: Guard.

Class: Freshman.

High School: Valencia.

Career Highlights: 2004-05 Foothill League Co-Most Valuable Playerholds Valencia scoring records for game, season, career.

2004-05 All-Southern Section Division I-AA first team.

CAPTION(S):

2 photos, box

Photo:

(1 -- 2) Kelley Tarver, above, and Jessie Loring, left, were Foothill League adversaries when they played at Valencia and Saugus highs. Now, they have helped Cal State Bakersfield out to a 6-1 start.

Photos by Kirby Lee/Special to the Daily News

Box:

TWO ROADRUNNERS (see text)