BRYANT HAS A BLUEPRINT.

Byline: Eric Boal Special to the Daily News

New Van Nuys High boys' basketball coach Jason Bryant figures he has a pretty good blueprint to follow as he tries to turn around the Wolves program.

After spending the last four years as an assistant at surging Cleveland of Reseda under Andre Chevalier, Bryant knows how to win.

``Working at Cleveland, and under Andre, who I feel is the best coach in the City Section, really prepared me for this type of challenge,'' said Bryant, who replaces Noel Williams. ``Andre has a wealth of experience, and his ability to turn Cleveland into a winning program and a program with class will definitely benefit me.''

Bryant already knows what the first step is in turning Van Nuys around.

``Changing an attitude that seemed to accept losing,'' Bryant said. ``We need to change that perception, and the way you do that is by convincing these kids that the coaches and administration are dedicated to winning and building a solid program.''

--Hart of Newhall swimmers Hayley Calams and Nicole Nakamaru, along with Calabasas swimmers/water polo players Sarah Gage and Joshua Widen were named to the National Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association Academic All-America list.

Oaks Christian of Westlake Village, which won its first Southern Section Div. IV title in May, was one of three boys' swimming and diving teams from the state to be recognized, along with Carmel and Mission Viejo.

--Royal, along with De La Salle of Concord and Long Beach Wilson, was recognized by Cal-Hi Sports as a 2004-05 ``Special Mention Div. I school'' after winning the boys' cross-country Southern Section and state titles in the fall and the softball championship in the spring.

Clovis West was the overall State School of the Year and Loyola of Los Angeles was selected boys' State School of the Year.

--DyeStatCal.com, the state's leading cross country and track and field Web site, recently published its preseason list of the top cross country teams in the state, with defending Div. I state champion Royal as the state's top-ranked boys' team.

The Highlanders, with a lineup featuring Michael Cybulski, Jason Pedersen, Hudson Andrews, Danny Benson and Kevin Sullivan, have a legitimate shot at making a return trip to the Nike Team Nationals Dec. 3 in Portland.

Royal placed fourth in the inaugural event last year.

Thousand Oaks, which placed third at the Div. I state meet last season, is the top area team at No. 5.

-- Nicole Cassel, an outside hitter who graduated from Chaminade of West Hills in June, has committed to play women's volleyball at Cal Lutheran. Cassel was a four-year player at Chaminade.

Erik Boal, [phone]

erik.boal(at)dailynews.com