CHATTER: FAMILY'S PRAYERS FULFILLED.

Byline: Lee Barnathan Staff Writer

Naysayers might call it a simple case of misdiagnosis. Erik Livengood and his family believe it's the power of prayer and faith.

Who can argue with them? Doctors thought Livengood, a Village Christian of Sun Valley baseball player, had cancer. It turned out to be disease known as San Joaquin Valley Fever.

``I believe it was a miracle,'' said Susie Livengood, Erik's mother. ``In today's world, when doctors tell you you have cancer, you generally have cancer.''

It appeared that way last Easter. Livengood showed various symptoms of Hodgkin's lymphoma, including swollen joints, immune system deficiencies, lethargy, rashes on his chest and growths on his chest and side.

When doctors told the Livengoods Erik had cancer, they were shocked and shed tears. Bill Livengood saw his dream of his son playing in college disappear, Susie prepared to work part-time to take care of her son, and Erik's older brother, Larry, flew in from Philadelphia for support.

``I had a lot of support from school,'' Erik said. ``A lot of coaches and students said they were praying for me, hoping I'd be getting better.''

Doctors performed a standard biopsy on the growth and determined it wasn't cancerous. In fact, it was symptomatic of San Joaquin Valley Fever, caused by inhaling fungal spores. It can be deadly, but with antibiotics and rest, it can be cured.

It took Livengood nine months for the symptoms to disappear. Now, he's starting in right field and batting .379 with 14 RBI for the 7-4 Crusaders.

``Our oncologist called me,'' Susie said. ``He said he could have sworn it was cancer.'' . . .

Kennedy basketball player Dax Grooms has been named to the U.S. Navy Scholastic All-America team. Grooms is the only area player from the 40 boys and 40 girls to be honored by the National High School Athletic Coaches Association. . . .

The Valley United Stars under-14 girls' soccer team won the CYSA State Cup in San Bernardino. The players: Krystal Bernal, a Kennedy freshman; Brooke Albert (will attend Simi Valley), Olla Besser (Alemany), Francesca Cail (Monroe), Monica Caires (will attend Louisville), Christy Lee Custer (Westlake), Ashley Englehart (Calabasas), Courtney Goldman (will attend Calabasas), Heather Goldman (Calabasas), Erica Janke (Simi Valley), Homaira Nassery (will attend Chaminade), Amanda Peterson (Simi Valley), Amanda Reyes (will attend Hart), Brenda Richter (Alemany), Cori Wong (Louisville) and Christy Willingham (El Camino Real). . . .

Van Nuys gymnast Ellis Garai won the all-around title at the Region 1 Championships at Cal State Bakersfield. His teammate, Edgar Kilinian, won the floor routine. . . .

The San Fernando Valley Football Coaches Association conducts a series of clinics for high school coaches every Thursday this month. The clinics are at 7 p.m. at Bassco Sporting Goods, 7541 Woodman Pl., Van Nuys.

On Thursday, a pair of USC assistant coaches, Dennis Thurman and Brian Schottenheimer, will conduct the clinic. Thurman is USC's defensive back coach, and Schottenheimer coaches tight ends.

Next week, Cal State Northridge coach Jeff Kearin will talk.

Admission is free. Information: Rich Fong [phone]. . . .

The San Fernando girls' basketball team seeks donations in light of recent budget cuts. Information: Chris Fotis, [phone], ext. 570.