BASKETBALL BEAT BOYS: MISSION MADNESS.

Byline: Vincent Bonsignore, Rich Hammond  Staff Writers

We knew the Mission League was going to be crazy and wild this year, but little did we know just how wacky things would get - in just the first two weeks.

But after what happened Friday and Monday, it's time to strap the seat belt on a little tighter because it's going to a rocky ride.

Notre Dame got it all started Friday with a 61-59 victory over Chaminade when Ruben Sanchez, who started his career at Chaminade before transferring to Notre Dame last year, hit a layup in the closing seconds.

Among the highlights were Notre Dame's Cody Pearson scoring 23 of his game-high 27 points in the second half, and Chaminade's Scott Borchart hobbling on a sprained ankle throughout the final quarter and nearly leading the Eagles to an upset win.

Of course, that was just the tease to Crespi's thrilling 89-80 triple-overtime victory over Chaminade Monday, one of the most entertaining games in recent memory.

``It was unbelievable,'' said Crespi guard Andrew Moore, who had 37 points and played all but two minutes of the game.

There were so many wild moments, it's difficult to figure out where to begin. But here are some highlights:

--With Crespi trailing by two points with 2.4 seconds left in the second overtime, the Celts inbounded the ball to Kingsley Anyanwu, who turned and hit 10-footer as the buzzer sounded to force the third overtime.

--Chaminade's Jordan O'Gilvie stole the ball at halfcourt with nine seconds left in the first overtime and the Eagles down by two, raced downcourt and made a layup in traffic to tie the game.

--Crespi came back from an 11-point deficit in the fourth quarter to send the game into overtime.

--Chaminade climbed out of a six-point hole in the first overtime.

``It was an amazing game,'' Crespi coach Dick Dornan said.

It's doubtful anything will come along to top that gut-wrencher, but it's clear the Mission League will be worth watching all year. The next potential epic takes place Friday when Notre Dame plays host to Crespi.

``It's a cliche, but the records never matter in this game; we can be 4-13 and they can be 5-15 and it will still be a sellout,'' Dornan said. ``That said, the ways things have worked out so far, they'll probably have to turn people away. This game has been elevated to another level.''

JUST WAIT

Valencia interim coach Robert ``Rocket'' Collins is excited about his team's 2-0 start, but he is even more excited about the fact that he still hasn't put his best lineup on the floor.

The Vikings had come-from-behind victories over Burbank and Burroughs this week despite the fact that two of its scorers, Albert Ingram and Ryan Felix, were hampered by sickness.

``I can't wait until we're at full strength,'' Collins said. ``We should be together and peaking right at playoff time.''

The Vikings' inconsistent lineup has forced them to turn to a variety of different scorers. Ingram, Will Broadus, Alex Dunwoody and Jose Velazquez are all capable scorers who have led the team in different games.

``We're doing the total team thing,'' Collins said. ``It's a lot tougher to stop four different people than it is to key on one player.''

BACK AT FULL STRENGTH

Taft got back two key players this week and it should pay off for the surprising Toreadors.

Guard Ezeuka Collins, who averages 14.7 points, is back after a two-week trip to Nigeria and swingman Steve Smith, who averages 28 points, returned from Chicago, where he was visiting family.

They both missed the recent Eagle Rock tournament, although point guard Mustafa Asghari averaged 28 points to lead Taft to fifth place.

``I knew (Asghari) had the potential to be a good player, but he's come along a lot quicker then I thought he would,'' Taft coach Derrick Taylor said of Asghari, who's averaging 5.4 assists in addition to his scoring.

By getting Collins and Smith back, the Toreadors can return to their fast-paced, uptempo style.

``Obviously they make a big difference for us with their scoring,'' Taylor said. ``But the real key is what they do for us defensively.''

ADD SMITH

Taft's Smith indicated two weeks ago he would drop basketball and devote his full attention to football when he gets to college. Smith, a sophomore, is considered one of the best wide receivers in the country.

Taylor is urging Smith to at least wait a few years before making his final decision. The 6-3 swingman has improved in all areas this year, adding a consistent jump shot (26 of 51 on 3-pointers) while bulking up in the weight room to help his rebounding - he's averaging nine per game. Taylor predicts he could be a major Division I college basketball player if he put his mind to it.

``His goal is to play professional sports, and the way he sees it, football offers the quickest path to that,'' Taylor said. ``And the amazing thing is, he seriously doesn't believe he's that good in basketball, which blows me away when you consider what he's doing. How can you not be confident in your game when you're averaging 28 points?''

- Staff Writers Gerry Gittelson and Kevin Flavin contributed

DAILY NEWS TOP TEN BOYS

1. Crescenta Valley  12-3

2. Notre Dame15-2

3. Thousand Oaks  12-4

4. Crespi 13-3

5. Taft 11-4

6. La Canada 12-3

7. North Hollywood 10-4

8. Agoura 13-2

9. Simi Valley  13-4

10. Lancaster 12-4

SEVEN-DAY FORECAST

--Game of the week: Crespi at Notre Dame, Friday 7:30 p.m. Both teams were 3-0 in Mission League heading into Wednesday's games, so this is a battle for early control of the region's zaniest league. It will be intense, with Notre Dame's Cody Pearson and Michael Luderer leading a balanced attack against the Celts, who feature Andrew Moore, Kingsley Anyanwu and Alan Ellis.

--Bound to Happen: Chatsworth's Shayne Berry will score 37 points to lead Chatsworth to a victory over Taft on Wednesday.

--Potential hero: Crespi's Allan Ellis sometimes is overshadowed in the Celts' balanced offense, but he always seems to come through in critical situations. Ellis hits the game-winner against Notre Dame as Crespi takes over first place in the Mission League.

--Potential upset Quartz Hill has quietly compiled an 11-3 record and the Rebels show they're for real next Friday when then upend Lancaster.

--Fearless prediction: Keith Jarbo of Burroughs scores 22 points, including two game-deciding free throws, as the Indians beat Canyon next Friday in a Foothill League game.

CAPTION(S):

photo, 2 boxes

Photo: The return of Valencia's Albert Ingram, who missed the first two Foothill League games because of illness, has Vikings coach Robert Collins excited about his team's potential.

John Lazar/Staff Photographer

Box: (1) DAILY NEWS TOP TEN BOYS (see text)

(2) SEVEN DAY FORECAST (see text)