BASKETBALL BEAT GIRLS WHO'S HOT.

Byline: Vincent Bonsignore and Ramona Shelburne Staff Writer

--Chaminade Soon, it's going to stop being an upset when Chaminade of West Hills defeats a team like No. 3 Alemany of Mission Hills or then-No. 7 Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks.

In the beginning of the season, Chaminade relied on junior forward Kelly Cochran, who seemed to be the only player who could score consistently. But as the season progressed, the Eagles' other post players - Danielle Livingston, Christiana Skidmore and Nikki Alburn - have come on and kept teams honest.

``They've really learned to work together,'' Chaminade coach Kelli DiMuro said. ``Danielle, Nikki and Christiana play well and have allowed us to put Kelly more in the open court, and that's where she's always wanted to be and where she'll play in college. We used to have to play her in the post, but now she's more of a No. 3.''

--Paraclete The season didn't look good for Paraclete of Lancaster when it opened 1-7 without sophomore Bria Fields, the reigning co-MVP of the league who has played only one game this season because of a knee injury.

But since then, Paraclete has won nine of 10 and is 5-0 in the Olympic League. In Fields' absence, Nikki Cordova, Jessica Echenique and Karina Worden have stepped up.

The three took turns as Paraclete's leading scorer last week. Cordovea had 19 against Marshall of Pasadena, Worden had 25 against Scott Academy of Santa Clarita and Echenique had 23 against L.A. Baptist of North Hills.

--Bryana Williams, Cleveland The 5-foot-10 sophomore post player is averaging 21.7 points despite double and triple teams that come with being the best player on a team with a losing record.

--Cherrelle Hayes, Chatsworth The sophomore forward might be averaging 8.7 points and 3.5 rebounds, but she's the type of player Chatsworth needed to complete its starting lineup. Hayes, who attended Cleveland of Reseda last season but did not play because of a back injury, is a 5-10, wiry and athletic power forward, and works well with junior center Alisha Bryant.

LEAGUE UPDATES

--Frontier Oaks Christian of Westlake Village was the only area team to win a Southern Section title and game in the state playoffs last season, but four of the players from that team graduated, leaving junior Kayla Rutherford as a returning starter.

``We've got a lot of kids who were role players last season getting a lot of time,'' Oaks Christian coach Don McMaster said. ``Last year we had five kids who could score 20 points, this year we only have one or two.''

But Oaks Christian is 10-8 and 3-1 in league, having lost only to Nordhoff of Ojai in league play.

Among the most promising players for the team has been freshman point guard Michelle Clark, who is averaging 11 points.

Oaks Christian will travel to Brentwood on Saturday night in a rematch of last season's Div. IV-AA semifinal.

--Foothill Let the race begin. The race for third place, that is. There's little doubt the championship will come down to the game between Valencia and Hart of Newhall on Feb. 12. But it's hard to decide which will be the critical game to determine third place. Canyon, Burroughs of Burbank and Burbank are tied for third at 2-3.

Burbank is probably the biggest surprise, after graduating the league's leading scorer last season, Christine Kepenekian, and losing coach Ricky Hawthorne. But with eight victories, Burbank is only three short of an automatic playoff berth, for the second consecutive year, under first-year coach Paul Kim.

But assuming they lose to Hart and Valencia, Burbank would need to win its final three games against Saugus, Canyon and Burroughs to qualify.

--Mission After Chaminade of West Hill's victory over Alemany of Mission Hills on Tuesday night, Harvard-Westlake of Studio City would seem the front-runner for the league title at 5-0 and only Chaminade at 4-1.

But Wolverines coach Melissa Hearlihy is used to front-runner status and doesn't want to get overconfident.

``Bottom line is, we just need to win all of our games,'' she said. ``Everybody plays their best against us so we know we need to be ready.''

Harvard-Westlake will host a dangerous Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks team tonight at 7. The Wolverines defeated Notre Dame 62-59 the first time the teams played.

To report information, e-mail Staff Writer Ramona Shelburne at ramona.shelburne(at)dailynews.com

BOYS

CENTER STAGE

You'll have to forgive Sylmar guard Chris Booker's impatience after hearing all season about Cleveland of Reseda and Taft of Woodland Hills being the region's top City Section teams. The Spartans register minimal recognition despite impressive credentials.

``It gets frustrating sometimes,'' Booker said. ``You start wondering when people are going to start noticing you.''

Part of the problem is that Sylmar (10-6, 4-0) plays in the Valley Mission League, which has been on a slide the past few years. Outside of Monroe of North Hills (16-6, 3-1), nobody offers Sylmar much of a challenge.

``Honestly, I'd rather we play in the Coliseum League,'' Sylmar coach Bort Escoto said.

The Spartans will try to rectify the situation when they host West Valley League power Taft in an intriguing interleague matchup Saturday at 7 p.m. It's a chance for Sylmar to earn the respect it thinks it deserves.

``We have a chance to open some eyes, and we understand the importance of that,'' Booker said. ``We want to take advantage.''

If Sylmar's 20-point victory at Monroe last week is any indication of how ready the Spartans are, then its clear Taft, which has UCLA-bound point guard Jordan Farmar, could be in for a difficult game. With Booker and Joe Dickson teaming in the backcourt, the Spartans have one of the region's top guard tandems.

Throw in some nice role players like 6-foot-5 forward Tommy McNutt (who had 18 rebounds against Monroe) and 6-3 swingman Julio Marshall, and Sylmar has the ability to play with Taft.

``We feel like we have a shot at beating them,'' said Booker, a 6-foot-2 senior who has drawn interest from San Francisco State and Washington.

Taft beat Sylmar last year, but Booker said the Spartans will make some adjustments.

``Last year we focused quite a bit on Jordan, and some of their other guys beat us,'' Booker said. ``This time around we want to pay more attention to their other guys. Jordan is a great player, he's going to do his typical thing. But if we can slow down the other guys, we have a great shot at winning.''

LEAGUE UPDATES

--West Valley: Cleveland of Reseda and Taft of Woodland Hills are headed for a first-place tie after splitting their two regular-season games. A coin flip will decide who goes in as the top seed in the City Section playoffs. If the City Section postseason ban on Westchester holds up - Westchester is appealing to the state office - Cleveland's or Taft's chances for a high seed will be greatly enhanced. Taft travels to Sylmar at 7 p.m. Saturday for a key interleague game, and a victory will boost its seeding hopes. The Toreadors' Jordan Farmar, who scored 47 points Friday against Chatsworth, is drawing praise as one of the country's top two point guards.

--Valley Mission: Monroe of North Hills was understandably upset after its 20-point loss to Sylmar last week. The Vikings, who beat Sylmar in the last regular-season meeting a year ago, had aspirations of challenging the Spartans for the league title. Instead, Monroe coach Don Loperena said last Wednesday was the most frustrating day of his coaching career. When college scouts watch Sylmar's Chris Booker, they are also drawn to Joe Dickson, who plays alongside Booker in the Spartans' backcourt. But don't expect Booker to be offered a scholarship. He is a heavily recruited football player and has scholarship offers from a handful of Pacific-10 Conference schools. ``That usually ends talk with the basketball scouts,'' Sylmar coach Bort Escoto said. ``But I know he can play basketball in college, and I think he'll walk on to a team no matter where he goes to play football.''

--Foothill: Canyon's Jess Guidroz is among the region's best free-throw shooters. He has connected on 95.7 percent (67 of 70), including 39 in a row to start the season. ``I don't know what happened on the one I finally missed,'' he said. ... Hart of Newhall hasn't lost since the New Year. The team has won eight in a row since falling to City Section power Cleveland of Reseda on Dec. 30 in the championship game of the Hart tournament. ... Keep an eye on Hart sophomore Garrett Stairs. He's still developing as a member of the JV team but at 6-9 he's among Hart's tallest prospects in years.

--Golden: Highland of Palmdale took a major step toward securing the league title with a victory over Lancaster on Friday. The teams shared the title last season, but with one more win over the Eagles, Highland will win the championship outright.

--Mission: Alemany of Mission Hills likely will be without 6-6 forward George Papadopolous, who suffered an ankle sprain, the rest of the season.

WHO'S HOT

--Jordan Farmar, Taft Farmar took Chatsworth apart Friday with 46 points. Farmar's output was a season high, but not a career best. He scored 54 points last year against Valencia.

--Adam Rich, Hart: Rich took control of the Foothill League for Hart of Newhall with an outstanding week, scoring 35 points and taking 12 rebounds in a victory against Valencia on Friday after scoring 21 in a key victory over Saugus.

Staff Writer Gerry Gittelson contributed to this report. To report information, e-mail Staff Writer Vincent Bonsignore at vincent.bonsignore(at)dailynews.com

CAPTION(S):

2 photos, 2 boxes

Photo:

(1) Chaminade's post players, from left: Kelly Cochran, Danielle Livingston, Nicole Alburn and Christina Skidmore.

Charlotte Schmid-Maybach/Staff Photographer

(2) Chris Booker (5) and Sylmar are looking for respect.

Tom Mendoza/Staff Photographer

Box:

(1) DAILY NEWS TOP 10

(2) SEVEN-DAY FORECAST