BOYS: STEPPING OUT OF THE JV PACK WOLFE CONVINCES HART HE'S VARSITY MATERIAL.

Byline: Gerry Gittelson Staff Writer

NEWHALL - The plan was for sophomore Ryan Wolfe to remain on Hart High's boys' junior varsity basketball team for another year, This way, he could get more minutes and gain experience instead of sitting on the varsity bench as a backup because Hart's varsity had so many returning players, particularly guards.

The problem was Wolfe was too good.

Even though Wolfe was just a 10th-grader, the varsity needed him. He was promoted last month and has made a major impact. On Tuesday, he led the team with 15 points, seven rebounds, three steals and three assists in a victory over Burbank, and he's gaining confidence every game for the Indians (19-4, 6-1 Foothill League), who have three games remaining before the playoffs begin.

``Ryan's a bright prospect and one of the best athletes in the school,'' varsity coach Tom Kelly said. ``It's good to have him around when we play against teams with real athletic guards because he's quick and fast with longs arms, and he can play pretty good defense.''

Wolfe was averaging 20 points for the JV, and the team was winning most of its games. He wanted to play for the varsity from the beginning but never complained or asked for the promotion. Instead, he let his performances do the talking.

``I'm happy to be up here, especially now that I'm getting more of a chance to play,'' Wolfe said. ``The first few games, it was a little uncomfortable, but it's gradually getting better.''

Wolfe is averaging 5.0 points and about 10 minutes a game.

Senior standout Cody Kase, who also played varsity football with Wolfe last season, likes the way Wolfe can instantly change the pace of a game once he gets on the floor.

``Ryan is just real athletic. He's a playmaker,'' Kase said. ``Yes, he's a sophomore, but he doesn't think like a sophomore. He just gets in there and makes plays. He's very productive.''

Besides Wolfe's natural skills as a defender, shooter and ball handler, Kelly is impressed with Wolfe's personality and maturity - important reasons, in Kelly's thinking, for Wolfe's promotion.

``Frankly, a lot of sophomores are kind of goofy and giggly, but Ryan's a pretty straightforward guy,'' Kelly said. ``I'm not saying he doesn't like to have fun, but he's just got a very businesslike attitude. I think that's why the team has welcomed him the way they have.''

Wolfe said he thinks he fits in, both on and off the court, and that's important to him.

Kase agreed.

``It's nice to have Ryan on the team, he's one of my best friends,'' Kase said.

GIRLS: Saugus post player backup star

Sonnenblick shines like starter by subbing for Centurions' best

SAUGUS - They say everyone gets their 15 minutes of fame ... once.

Yet Lisa Sonnenblick does so nearly every game for the Saugus High girls' basketball team. A backup to standout center Sheridan Arredondo, Sonnenblick averages just 15 minutes a game but sure makes the most of her opportunities, averaging 9.1 points and 6.8 rebounds, and shooting better than 62 percent from the field.

Sonnenblick's importance was never more evident than during Saugus' 60-58 victory over Valencia on Tuesday, when she scored 18 points in full-time duty after Arredondo was pulled in the opening minutes for disciplinary reasons and never returned.

``Lisa is kind of a backup to all three of our post players, but the greatest thing about her is she's never complained once about playing time,'' coach Eric Olsson said. ``I think she's started three games this season, but she's always been assured an important role on the team.''

Sonnenblick, a senior, said she thinks it's more important to focus on team concepts.

``I'm not worried about how much I play. It's all right,'' she said. ``I'm more worried about trying to win a Foothill League title or the CIF title.''

Saugus, which has been ranked as high as No. 1 in the region by the Daily News and is No. 3 this week, is 19-6 overall and 6-1 in league with three games remaining.

At 5-foot-11 1/2, Sonnenblick is only the fourth-tallest player for the Centurions. Arredondo, Julia Bradley and Jessi Loring are all 6-feet or taller. With so much height, Saugus usually has a rebounding advantage, and opponents find difficulty penetrating in the lane.

But what makes Saugus special is the spark Sonnenblick provides off the bench.

``I guess that's my role, the sixth man who comes in and helps pick up the team,'' Sonnenblick said. ``I'm fine with it, even though a lot of people say I'd be a starter on any other team. It's just not that important to me.''

Sonnenblick has a busy schedule. She's also a top volleyball player who is juggling club volleyball with basketball. Plus, she has a 4.6 grade-point average and scored 1,360 on the SAT. This semester, her class schedule includes AP calculus, honors economics, honors anatomy, English and Spanish.

She's also a big sister to her brother, Brian, a sophomore who plays on the boys' junior varsity basketball team. Perhaps most important, Sonnenblick has helped maintain stability in her home since her parents divorced two years ago and her father, Bruce, moved to Florida.

``I was surprised when that happened, but we've dealt with it,'' she said.

Between basketball, volleyball and her studies, Sonnenblick doesn't have many diversions, except for an occasional shopping trip to her favorite mall, Glendale Galleria.

That's fine with her. Sonnenblick prefers to keep her life compartmentalized and uncluttered. Her easy-going manner makes her an ideal team player for the basketball team, and her teammates and coach wouldn't want her to be any other way.

CAPTION(S):

2 photos, 6 boxes

Photo:

(1) Hart's Ryan Wolfe (55) has been a standout ever since he was promoted to varsity despite being just a sophomore.

Gene Blevins/Special to the Daily News

(2) SONNENBLICK

Box:

(1) TIME OUT

(2) COMING UP

(3) GAME OF THE WEEK

(4) LOOK BACK

(5) STANDINGS FOOTHILL LEAGUE: BOYS

(6) STANDINGS FOOTHILL LEAGUE: GIRLS