BASEBALL MCCARTHY LEAVES HIS MARK AT GAMES WEAVER STILL TORN ABOUT HOOPS; JOHNSON PLANS TO STICK WITH IT.

Byline: Heather Gripp Staff Writer

LONG BEACH - Tyler Adamczyk and Mike Nickeas were the ones making the rounds of the various baseball showcases and trials for their sport's elite this summer.

Nickeas was the one selected to play in the all-star game at the conclusion of last week's Area Code Games and Adamczyk was the popular topic of conversation all week even though he did not pitch because of a tired arm. But Ryan McCarthy's performance at the Area Code Games was a reminder that he could be just as valuable in helping the Westlake High baseball team defend its Marmonte League title and maintain its position as one of the region's most competitive teams.

McCarthy was primarily an infielder with the Warriors last season but showed his versatility by playing anywhere the Area Code team needed him. He usually started in left field and didn't look out of place. He also reached base frequently and had three stolen bases within the first two games.

If hitting and defense aren't enough, Westlake can also turn to McCarthy for pitching. He had three saves as a junior.

--Hoops vs. diamonds: They know their future is in baseball, but a trio of locals who played for the Area Code team are contemplating whether they should focus their athletic attention on the sport.

Simi Valley's Jered Weaver, Chaminade's Erik Johnson and Adamczyk are key players for their respective schools' basketball teams. But their potential on the baseball field has many trying to convince the incoming seniors they should give up basketball and spend the winter preparing for the baseball season.

``Right now it's undecided,'' said Weaver, whose knack for sinking 3-pointers helped the Pioneers reach the Southern Section final last season. ``I still really love basketball.''

Johnson intends to make his college commitment in the fall and then enjoy his last year playing both sports with his buddies.

``It's my senior year and I've been working for this for a long time.'' Johnson said. ``I owe it to the team and myself to play. And it's not something you can go back and do later.''

--No big deal: Playing in front of hundreds of scouts and having every move scrutinized provides an unusual amount of pressure for some players but not Johnson. He got used to playing in front of large crowds as a 12-year-old with the Moorpark Little League team that advanced to the Little League World Series.

``Everything nowadays seems like nothing basically,'' Johnson said. ``That was a building block basically.''

--Worth the trip: Camarillo's Delmon Young missed the Area Code Games, but couldn't be disappointed about what he got to do instead. As a member of the USA Youth National Team, Young won a gold medal at the COPABE Pan American Games in Monterrey, Mexico.

Young contributed to the 2-1 victory over Cuba in Sunday's championship game with an outfield assist on a play at the plate that resulted in a double play in the fifth inning. The 14-year-old incoming sophomore batted .308 with seven RBI during the eight-game series in which the USA went undefeated.

--Short hops: Among the players Canyon's Chris Seddon retired in his perfect inning of work during Saturday's all-star game were two of the three players - Garrett Guzman and Billy Paganetti - who were honored as the Area Code Games' top offensive players. . . Baseball America rated Seddon as seventh-best prospect at the event; Team One Baseball ranked the left-hander fourth.

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(color -- ran in Conejo and Simi edition only) Westlake High catcher Mike Nickeas was one of three Warriors getting attention at the recent Area Code baseball showcase

Michael Owen Baker/Daily News