BASKETBALL NOTEBOOK: VALENCIA STANDS TALL WITH TWO NEWCOMERS.Byline: Vincent Bonsignore Staff Writer There's just something about big players that creates excitement on a basketball team, especially when they have untapped potential. Such is the case for the Valencia Valencia, region, Spain Valencia (välān`thēä), autonomous region (1990 pop. 3,902,429) and former kingdom, E Spain, on the Mediterranean. It now comprises the provinces of Alicante, Castellón, and Valencia. High boys' team, which welcomes newcomers Kevin KEVIN Keepers of the Eternal Vigilance of the Islamic Nation (fictional, from White Teeth by Zadie Smith) Delange (6-foot-9) and Donjay Kakonde (6-8) to an group of returning veterans. The Vikings are 2-1 this summer, and Delange and Kakonde show signs that they will play significant roles by the winter. ``It's definitely exciting to have players with that kind of size,'' said Valencia coach Rocket Collins. ``We're looking forward to working with them.'' Delange has played well so far this summer, although his contributions have been more on the rebounding and defensive fronts than on offense. That's fine with Collins. The Vikings are loaded with offensive players, so they can afford to bring Delange along slowly. ``I told him we have enough guys who can put the ball in the basket,'' Collins said. ``We need him to focus on rebounding and defense, which he has.'' Kakonde is an interesting story. He's a junior, but he's still just 14 years old. According to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. Collins, Kakonde enrolled as a 12-year old freshman after his parents moved him up a grade. ``It's pretty amazing a·maze v. a·mazed, a·maz·ing, a·maz·es v.tr. 1. To affect with great wonder; astonish. See Synonyms at surprise. 2. Obsolete To bewilder; perplex. v.intr. when you think about it,'' Collins said. --Trebilcock tries out for Junior Olympic Team: Hart of Newhall senior Ashlee Trebilcock is competing in the Junior Olympic basketball festival in Colorado Springs Colorado Springs, city (1990 pop. 281,140), seat of El Paso co., central Colo., on Monument and Fountain creeks, at the foot of Pikes Peak; inc. 1886. It is a year-round resort and a booming military, technological, and commercial city. this week. Trebilcock, a two-time Daily News Player of the Year who verbally committed to UCLA UCLA University of California at Los Angeles UCLA University Center for Learning Assistance (Illinois State University) UCLA University of Carrollton, TX and Lower Addison, TX before her junior season, was one of 48 players invited to the festival, which runs through Sunday Sunday: see Sabbath; week. . At the end of the week, USA Basketball will select a 12-player Junior Olympic team. ``This is an awesome experience to play with the best players in the country,'' Trebilcock said. --Tournament team: Valencia usually spends its summers playing in the Canyon Summer league and various tournaments. But those plans changed when Canyon's gym needed some work done. As a result, the Vikings will not participate in any leagues. Instead, they'll play in a tournaments at Loyola Marymount, Crespi of Encino, Hart and San Diego San Diego (săn dēā`gō), city (1990 pop. 1,110,549), seat of San Diego co., S Calif., on San Diego Bay; inc. 1850. San Diego includes the unincorporated communities of La Jolla and Spring Valley. Coronado is across the bay. . ``We're fine with that,'' Collins said. ``We'll still get plenty of work in.'' Collins boasts an exciting, veteran team consisting of Chad Allen Chad Allen may refer to:
``It will definitely be wide open, but then again I've never known the league not to be wide open,'' Collins said. ``We're looking forward to seeing where we fit in to it all.'' Vincent Bonsignore, (818) 713-3612 vincent.bonsignore(at)dailynews.com CAPTION(S): photo Photo: Hart senior Ashlee Trebilcock is competing this week for the Junior Olympic basketball festival. John Lazar/Staff Photographer |
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