BOYS BASKETBALL BEAT : SLOW AND STEADY.

Crespi's first-year coach Dick Dornan says he wasn't discouraged when his Celts lost their first four because two of the setbacks were in overtime, another was a three-point loss, and the fourth was to powerhouse Mater Dei.

``I was never concerned,'' Dornan said. ``We just had to get over the hump and get a few breaks.''

Sure enough, Crespi has won three of four, including triumphs over Quartz Hill, Ventura and Montclair Prep - ``We're three plays away from being 5-2,'' said Dornan, who pointed out the best is yet to come, considering his top six scorers are all underclassmen.

Big-money Grant

Grant's Gilbert Arenas has emerged as the the City Section's best overall player, averaging almost 30 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and six steals for the 5-4 Lancers.

Arenas, a 6-3 forward, is only a junior.

``Right now he's dominating,'' said coach Howard Levine, who projects Arenas to break Ronald Patterson's school season record of 589 points (1994-95). ``Gilbert is a very gifted athlete who scored 22 points per game as a sophomore. He's got great quickness, speed and jumping ability. And at just 170 pounds, there's a lot of room for muscle growth.''

Arenas recently went through a five-game stretch that saw him score 30, 36, 30, 39, and 36 points. He is coming off his best game of the season: 45 points, 10 rebounds, 12 assists and 10 steals - a quadruple double - in a 112-66 rout over Bell Jeff on Tuesday.

Bubbling success

Coach Gary Spindt has to be pleased with Valencia winning eight of its first nine. The Vikings were a combined 6-40 their first two years of competition before going 14-11 last season. Spindt points to guard Mark Sison and forward Mark Powlak as early-season catalysts. Sison admirably replaced suspended starter Jason Williamson during a four-game stretch and averaged 12 points. Powlak is averaging close to 10 points and five rebounds.

Meanwhile forward Brian ``Bubbles'' Otis is on pace to set a school record for charges taken. ``That's the most unselfish thing you can do,'' Spindt said. ``Bubbles is just a hard-nosed team player.''

Hard as a Rocky

Montclair Prep's Rocky Steryo is off to a torrid start, averaging almost 30 points per game - including twice as many 3-pointers as 2-pointers. He has 181 3-pointers - 46 in nine games this season, including 11 in a recent 71-46 win over Antelope Valley. The previously overweight guard lost 20 pounds over the summer and says being trimmer has made a big difference.

``I'm a lot quicker now,'' Steryo said. ``I've just got more speed and jumping ability.''

ETC.

Lancaster's Andrew Austin, a 6-4, 240-pound junior power forward, could give teams plenty of problems in the paint, considering most Golden League competitors lack size. Austin scored 20 in a recent loss to Diamond Bar.

Joey Cuppari, Westlake's dazzling two-sport star (three actually, if you count baseball) has been named second-team Grid-Hoop All-American by Student Sports magazine. He is the only area standout on the list.