BURGER WITH A SIDE OF FRIENDS CREPS, HERRERA GO FROM RIVALS TO BEST BUDDIES OVER A TRIPLE-DECKER SANDWICH.

Byline: Gerry Gittelson Staff Writer

VALENCIA - As their high school careers wind down, Valencia High multisport standouts Jaisa Creps and Ashley Herrera are inseparable best friends - a companionship that figures to continue when both join UCLA's softball team next year.

But Creps and Herrera remember a time when they weren't so buddy-buddy.

``Thinking back now, it's actually kind of funny because we didn't like each other at all back when we were kids playing softball at William S. Hart,'' Creps said. ``We were always two of the best players in the league, and there was a lot of competition between us. It seemed like we were always going against each other because we were always on different teams.''

Herrera remembers things the same way.

``Yes, it's true. We didn't like each other at all,'' she said. ``I guess we were both really competitive, even back then.''

As freshmen, they became teammates at Valencia, both making the varsity softball team their first year of high school.

Then, in an odd ritual that probably only makes sense to teenagers, they bonded together at Fatburger, of all places.

``We both took the `triple-king challenge' after a doubleheader against Santa Monica, which means we had to eat three patties with the works,'' Creps said. ``The burgers were so big that it took a half-hour to eat them, but we did it - and got our pictures together on the wall.''

At the time, rail-thin Herrera barely weighed 100 pounds, so heaven only knows how she did it.

``I think each hamburger patty was about the size of my face,'' Herrera said.

The Fatburger conquest was the first of many achievements the girls have enjoyed during their Valencia careers. Herrera, who plays shortstop, is among the region's most powerful sluggers. She hit six home runs last year and has two this season. Creps, perhaps the region's premier catcher, is also a top hitter. Together, they helped Valencia win 25 games in both 2001 and 2002, and both were first-team Daily News All-Area selections as juniors. This year, Valencia is 12-3 and ranked No. 1 by the Daily News.

Herrera is also Valencia's top girls' tennis player, finishing second in the Foothill League singles competition last fall. Creps is a dominating soccer goalkeeper who carried Valencia to the Southern Section Div. II final.

Herrera joined Creps on the soccer team for the first time this season, and the two also won a national championship in ASA softball over the summer with the Orange County Batbusters.

``We'll both do whatever it takes to win. I think that's something we have in common,'' Creps said.

Creps, who is going to UCLA on scholarship, convinced Herrera, who had been offered softball scholarships elsewhere, to join her at UCLA as a recruited walk-on.

``We became closer than ever during the summer, and she asked me, `Jaisa, what should I do?' '' Creps said. ``I told her she has to concentrate now on what's best for her future, and UCLA is a top college. I told her if she could afford to go there her first year, she'll probably get rewarded with a scholarship.''

Herrera didn't need much prodding. She was hoping to remain close to home instead of accepting an offer at Wichita State or another distant university.

``I've also wanted to stay in California, and UCLA is the No. 1 softball school,'' Herrera said. ``I think I had enough confidence in myself that I could fit in there, but the fact Jaisa was going to be at UCLA, too - that made the decision a little easier. I think it's a smart move.''

And here is more good news, girls: there's a Fatburger right down the street in Westwood.

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Photo:

Valencia's Ashley Herrera, left, and Jaisa Creps are best friends who will be playing for UCLA this fall.

Tom Mendoza/Staff Photographer