BOYS' BASKETBALL: HE'S THE BIG IDEA DOMINGO BREAKS MOLD AS VALENCIA POINT GUARD.

Byline: Jason David  Special to the Daily News

Scott Domingo of Valencia is too humble to call himself Magic Johnson, but as a tall point guard with excellent vision on the floor, he sometimes feels like the Lakers great.

``He was a 6-foot-9 point guard who could see the floor, post up, hook, shoot, drive, pass, play defense - he could do everything,'' Domingo said. ``I'm trying to be a tall point guard, I'm trying to be like him.''

The Vikings have been terrorizing opponents at the Canyon Summer League, displaying a caliber of talent and sense of team chemistry expected of a team midway through its regular season. The key to their success has been a hard-nosed, pressure-man defense and the often-unstoppable transition game to which it leads. The key to that lethal combination is Domingo's energy, ballhandling and court awareness.

``That's what we really like to do is run the ball, whenever we have the opportunity to,'' said Curtis Dunwoody, Domingo's teammate and best friend. ``Scott does a really good job of leading the break.''

Domingo incorporates street-ball flair and comfort with the ball in his hands with a trained patience that suits coach Rocket Collins' philosophy. Domingo can fly on the court, eluding defenders left and right with speed rarely seen in players with his 6-foot-2, 220-pound build. He also is one of the team's best post players and rebounders, but Collins liked the idea of an offense run with Domingo at the top.

``Jason Kidd, Baron Davis, those guys made a believer out of me that he can play point guard,'' Collins said. ``He has a feel for the game and he'll play any position I want him to play. So I thought, why not make him a point guard? Who said a point guard has to be small? He sees the floor and likes running the floor - he can do it.''

As a point guard, Domingo is the conductor of the offense. As a senior, he is a team leader. Many who see him play wonder why he doesn't pull up and shoot more often. His confidence in his shot is sure to increase with time and practice - his mother, Kim Williams, said he spends up to seven hours a day on the court - but his unselfishness is evident.

``He's really vocal with the team, he tells us when we need to step it up, especially if we are slacking off,'' Dunwoody said, adding that Domingo helps the team prepare before games. ``He just acts natural, tries to get everyone from getting nervous.''

Domingo wouldn't have it any other way.

``I grabbed it, I wanted it on me,'' Domingo said of his leadership role. ``If we lose, it's my fault because I didn't figure out how to do my job. But when I win, I feel good. I feel like I did my job and I pushed my boys and made them win. That's all that matters.''

Just as Magic was content in setting his teammates up for points, Domingo has his head rooted in assisting others. When his 94-year-old great grandmother, Margaret Woodard, moved in with the Domingos, he was quick to take responsibility while his mother attended school to become a registered nurse.

``He walked her around the block, made meals for her, pushed her in her wheelchair,'' Williams said. ``Not many 17-year-old boys would stay in with their great grandmother.''

Woodard taught Domingo life lessons. She told him to keep his head up always and to keep trying always.

``I figured she was only going to be with us a little while longer and I'm going to try to give her as much time as I can,'' Domingo said. ``She did when I was little, so I just wanted to repay her, help her, do as much as I could for her while I am here and while she is here.''

Determination is a characteristic Domingo has exhibited since the age of 5, when Woodard had to wheel him around. Domingo was hit by a car as he tried to keep up with cousins as they dashed across a street. He broke his femur and had to wear a body cast the entire summer going into kindergarten.

``It was so fast, I was just running, and then all of a sudden, boom - I just blacked out,'' Domingo said. ``It was pretty hard. When I got back on my leg, I couldn't walk. I had to go to physical therapy and work and work and work. I learned that you have to keep going and that you have to use your head.''

Domingo started playing basketball in the sixth grade and is passionate about making his career continue after this season.

``Basketball means a lot to me, my whole life revolves around it. Everything I do, it relates to basketball,'' he said.

He hasn't heard from colleges yet. The future is bright, but it also is blurry.

``I hope somebody sees him,'' Collins said.

Domingo said he'd attend any school that would let him play, and he isn't picky about the size.

``Truthfully, I see us going far in the playoffs after doing really well in league,'' Domingo said. ``And me maybe going to a small college. Or any kind of college would be great.''

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Photo: Valencia point guard Scott Domingo's unusual combination of size and speed have helped get the Vikings off to a fast start in the Canyon Summer League. Gus Ruelas/Staff Photographer