CANYON PLAYER GAINS FOCUS JASMINE PANDY NOW HAS GRADES TO MATCH HER GAME.

Byline: Gerry Gittelson Staff Writer

CANYON COUNTRY - No one ever doubted Jasmine Pandy's ability as a girls' basketball player. For two years, the 5-foot-9-inch senior from Canyon High has been among the most athletic, naturally gifted players in the Foothill League - a pure scorer, aggressive defender and fundamentally sound all-around performer.

Her attitude was a different story.

After a fast start for Canyon last year following her arrival from Crenshaw High in South Central Los Angeles, Pandy found herself in disfavor after cutting practices and struggling with her academics. By the end of the season, she was at the end of the bench.

``She was a good player but she was never around during practice. We couldn't reward her for that,'' coach Troy Best said.

Keen not to waste her senior season, Pandy has re-committed herself to the team. Now she's always among the first arrivals, she's raised her grade-point average to 3.6, and she's boosted Canyon to a 10-6 start as the team's leading scorer, with an average of 13 points per game.

After what she termed a difficult year adjusting to her new neighborhood and surroundings, Pandy said she's totally dedicated and has vowed not to let her teammates down again.

``I had a lot of problems and didn't have any focus last year. But now I'm way, way more focused,'' Pandy said. ``At first I didn't like it here. I mean, I hated it. I think it was a just a matter of growing up.''

Pandy misses her old friends but is beginning to realize the opportunities and security the Santa Clarita Valley can provide.

At Crenshaw, where Pandy played varsity basketball since her freshman season but missed most of her sophomore year because of a knee injury, she witnessed first hand the dark influences and dangers of growing up in such a crime-ridden, gang-infested area.

``Crenshaw's a great school but there's gangs throughout the whole school,'' she said. ``I mean, you've got your pick of just about everything there. I've seen people shot. I've seen people die right in front of me as I'm watching them. It was hard, and I still have nightmares.''

Fellow senior teammates Alexa Jahnke and Rachel Bates have stood behind Pandy throughout, and they're really glad she has made such a remarkable turnaround.

``I think this year she's finally ready to play to give it her all,'' Jahnke said. ``She's really putting her heart into what she's doing now, as she's a big part of the team. It's a huge help and she's making a huge difference. I'm just glad Jasmine is doing so well.''

Bates believes it's been only natural for Pandy to be more comfortable on the basketball court now that she's more comfortable about moving from the inner city to the suburbs.

``I think Jasmine has gotten used to the situation. At first it might have been a culture shock for her,'' Bates said. ``But we've all grown to really like each other. It's great to have Jasmine on the team because she's good at pumping up the rest of us. She's just doing tons better than last year. We're all seniors this season, and we just all want to win.''

So pronounced is Pandy's ``complete turnaround'' according to coach Best that he's made her the team captain this season.

And Pandy is blossoming in all areas of her life. Besides basketball and academics, she's preparing to work part-time at a video store, and she's relishing her role as a big sister to brother Ryan, 4, and C.J., 12.

``The youngest one, Ryan, we're about as close as a brother and sister can get,'' she said.

As for the future, Pandy is applying to various universities. Eventually, she wants to attend Stanford. But first, she might have to attend a junior college.

Perhaps College of the Canyons?

``No, no, I want to go somewhere else. I mean, I like Santa Clarita now, but I don't like it that much,'' she said with a wink.

Gerry Gittelson, [phone]

gerry.gittelson(at)dailynews.com

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(color) Canyon High senior Jasmine Pandy has improved her grades and leads the 10-6 Cowboys in scoring after a difficult transition year as a junior transfer from Crenshaw High in Los Angeles.

David Crane/Staff Photographer