BOYS' BASKETBALL NOTEBOOK: LONGSHORE RESTED, READY FOR THE COURT.

Byline: Vincent Bonsignore Staff Writer

Nate Longshore, the standout Canyon High football quarterback, will make his basketball debut with the Cowboys a few days after New Year's. Longshore, who is headed to Cal on a football scholarship, has spent the past few weeks resting his body after a long football season.

He'll play in the California-Florida all-star football game Jan. 2 at Moorpark College, but it's been easy going for the most part since football season ended three weeks ago. Longshore has battled through the typical bumps and bruises of playing quarterback and has enjoyed his time off.

``My body definitely needed a rest, that's for sure,'' Longshore said. ``It's been nice just being able to work out and not have to deal with the daily grind of a season.''

Longshore was so consumed with football - the Cowboys reached the Southern Section Div. II semifinals - he almost forgot what it was like to relax. He's had the chance to kick back, and now he's ready to jump back into basketball.

``I just feel so much better, I have a lot more energy, and I feel more refreshed,'' Longshore said. ``It's easier to get through the days. Before, it seemed like the days were so long.''

As for the nagging injuries he dealt with during football, Longshore isn't too concerned.

``Pain is just a part of football,'' Longshore said. ``To me, if you're not hurting, chances are you're not playing hard enough. That's just the way it goes.''

Canyon is playing well without Longshore, but they'll be much improved when the 6-foot-5 forward returns.

``I'm looking forward to a good season,'' Longshore said. ``I think we're going to surprise some people.''

--Elledge back, too: At Hart, football players Brian Elledge, Ryan Wolfe and Evan Surrant are back in the swing of things after helping the Indians' football team win the Southern Section Div. II football championship two weeks ago.

For Elledge, a bruising forward, the key is to temper his intensity to fit the basketball court.

``You want to be aggressive but not too aggressive,'' Elledge said. ``It's a fine line. But for me, I just go game to game depending on how the referees are calling fouls. Some are a little bit more flexible than others.''

This much is certain: Elledge will add a dose of toughness.

``I just try to help any way I can,'' Elledge said. ``But I'm really looking forward to this season.''

--Tournament time: Hart will kick off its tournament today at Hart High. Valencia, meanwhile, will play in the Chaminade of West Hills tournament beginning tonight.

For the Vikings (6-3), reserve Jason Lott has provided a consistent scoring punch off the bench lately with two games of more than 20 points.

``It's a big key to have someone like that bring offense off the bench,'' Valencia coach Rocket Collins said. ``You want someone to sustain what you've got going or add a burst of energy if we need it. He gives us that.''

Of course, with a few more impressive tournaments, Lott might be pushing for a starting job.

Collins has no problem with that.

``Heck, I hope all my guys want to be in the starting lineup,'' Collins said, laughing.

Vincent Bonsignore, [phone]

vincent.bonsignore(at)dailynews.com