BOYS BASKETBALL BEAT: LITTLEROCK FINDS CONSOLATION.

Byline: Chris Cocoles Daily News Staff Writer

Coach Ben Dale doesn't want his Littlerock High boys' basketball team to look ahead, even a couple of seconds into the future.

Any missed shot that caroms off the rim should be the biggest rebound of the game. Any defensive stand is the most critical.

``I don't want them looking ahead to the fourth quarter or even the next trip down the floor,'' Dale said.

The Lobos, considered a Golden League contender despite coming off a mediocre 1997-98 season, had bought into first-year coach Dale's philosophy during a 4-1 start.

But all of that disappeared when the Lobos were floored by previously winless Alemany 66-48 in the opening round of the Valencia Winter Slam last Monday.

``We came in thinking we could just show up and win,'' Dale said. ``During our four wins, we weren't doing that.''

The loss to an Alemany team that was much better than the Indians' record served as the reality check for a program lacking much consistent success.

Dropped into the consolation bracket, Littlerock didn't sulk. Instead, the Lobos reeled off three straight wins to win the consolation title.

The Lobos came back from the Alemany disappointment with a convincing 65-37 win over Santa Paula, then defeated host Valencia 76-58 behind a monster effort by forward Tony Mayes (30 points, 16 rebounds).

``You can't help but get up for (Valencia),'' Dale said.

Facing scoring machine Jeff Staniland of Ventura in the ninth-place game was another incentive. But Staniland, who had 47 in an earlier tournament win over Antelope Valley, was limited to 13 as the Lobos (7-2) beat the Cougars 65-52.

While the three-game winning streak and consolation trophy were a quaint reward for a good tournament, Dale says the Lobos have bigger goals.

``They didn't want the trophy,'' Dale said. ``We were more like `Let's go play the Highland tournament (which begins play today).' ''

Quartz Hill: The Golden League made quite an impact at Valencia's holiday gathering. In addition to Littlerock's run, Quartz Hill reached the championship semifinals before falling to Chatsworth 64-50.

That loss on Friday snapped the Rebels' eight-game winning streak, but behind a balanced attack (five players in double figures) Quartz Hill smashed Hollywood 76-47 to finish third.

Dale, whose team could battle Quartz Hill for the Golden League championship, has watched five Rebels games thus far and is convinced coach Bernard Nichter's team is the Golden League front-runner.

``Quartz Hill is tough,'' Dale said of the Rebels. ``They're the team to beat.''

Palmdale: Johnathan Thompson must feel snakebit by now.

One of the Golden League's most exciting football quarterbacks, Thompson's Palmdale career was cut short by a fractured left collarbone in the Littlerock game.

After rehabbing for a month, Thompson, the MVP of Palmdale's JV basketball team last year, returned to the court when Palmdale traveled to Edmonton for the REB Invitational.

But a freak collision has knocked Thompson out of commission again.

``He got hit in the exact same place as his previous injury,'' Palmdale coach Garry Phelps said. ``He was kind of extended when it happened. He was in a lot of pain.''

An X-ray revealed Thomspon had refractured the collarbone and he'll miss another three weeks. Phelps said the injury seems to he healing nicely and it's possible Thompson could return for the Hart tournament next week.

``He just wants to play so badly. He is another kid who can play the point for us,'' Phelps said. ``He can shoot the ball from the outside. And he wants to get out there and do that.''

Vasquez: The Mustangs lost 75-68 to Antelope Valley Christian at last week's Boron tournament despite two prolific games by senior forward Kenny Johnson and senior guard Nick Gray.

Johnson, a relentless rebounder who averaged 15.2 boards as a junior, grabbed 22 to go along with nine points.

And Gray, the Mustangs' leading returning scorer, recorded a triple-double with 21 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists.

Desert: The Scorpions improved to 7-1 with a 71-58 win over Lucerne Valley to win the Boron tournament. Michael Williams scored 19 points in the final to earn MVP honors.

Paraclete: Michael Washington, who just joined the Spirits after helping Paraclete win the Southern Section Division XII football championship, has left the basketball team, coach Andy Gavel said.

``His family decided he should try to focus on academics more,'' Gavel said of Washington, a 6-foot-3 small forward and point guard. ``It hurts our athleticism.''

The Spirits are just 1-6 but figured to get better with the arrival of Washington and three other football players. Washington scored six points in a 76-69 loss at Tehachapi last Friday.

``Anytime you lose a player it's disappointing,'' Gavel said. ``The timing of it hurts and it's a little awkward right now.''