CHATTER: CHEVALIER RESIGNS AS OAK PARK COACH.

Byline: Kevin Connelly Special to the Daily News

Ed Chevalier has resigned after five seasons - and five Tri-Valley League titles - as Oak Park High's boys' basketball coach. His final game was a 59-52 loss to Harvard-Westlake of Studio City last Friday night in a Southern Section Div. III-A semifinal.

Chevalier, who previously coached 18 seasons at Thousand Oaks and three at St. Monica of Santa Monica, last fall told athletic directors Ann Petit and Dick Billingsley he would step down at season's end.

``(Chevalier) was one of the most professional coaches I have even been around,'' Billingsley said. ``He was so well-organized, and he always had our kids prepared.''

Oak Park is looking for a replacement.

--Cleveland High of Reseda will be home today at 3 p.m. for the City Section JV girls' basketball final against Palisades of Pacific Palisades. The top-seeded Cavaliers defeated Granada Hills, Marshall of Los Feliz and Eagle Rock en route to the title game.

--Oak Park defensive back Gabe Derricks signed a letter of intent to play football at Div. I-AA San Diego.

Gideon Rubin contributed.

Kevin Connelly, [phone]

kevin.connelly(at)dailynews.com