CHATTER: RUGBY TEAM SEEKS TOP SEEDING.

Byline: Vincent Bonsignore Staff Writer

Two years ago, the San Fernando Valley Rugby Club reached the final four of the USA National championships. In 1995, San Fernando played in the championship game.

Both times, it came up short.

``We're hoping to fix that this year,'' San Fernando president Ben Harrell said.

After qualifying for the nationals with an easy victory Saturday over Old Aztecs, San Fernando hopes to improve its chances against the Santa Barbara Grunions in the Southern California Div. II final April 24. A victory in that game will secure the No. 1 seed heading into nationals, which is May 15-16 in Newport, R.I.

In Rhode Island, the country's top 16 teams will play for a chance to reach the final four June 5-6 in Pittsburgh.

``We're really hoping to lock up that No. 1 seed,'' Harrell said. ``We want to go to Rhode Island with some confidence.''

San Fernando beat Santa Barbara in two meetings this year.

On Saturday, Gaston Denigris, Shawn Oakley and Kevin Smith played well for San Fernando.

The team has been in existence for more then 40 years, and features players from the San Fernando Valley. ...

Hart High of Newhall junior point guard Ashlee Trebilcock was selected first-team All-State by Cal-Hi Sports on Monday. Trebilcock, who averaged 21 points and led Hart to the second round of the state basketball tournament, was one of 10 players on the first team. Hart's Dave Munroe was Div. I Coach of the Year.

Newbury Park senior forward Brynn Cameron was a second-team selection and Crescenta Valley of La Crescenta senior guard Jeanine Deno was a third-team pick.

Harvard-Westlake of Studio City guard Stefanie Clark was a first-team pick for Div. III, Valencia's Kelley Tarver, Royal of Simi Valley's Kelly Winther and Chaminade of West Hills' Kelly Cochran were second-team selections for Div. III.

Candice Wiggins of La Jolla Country Day was named State Player of the Year. Wiggins, who has signed to play basketball and volleyball at Stanford, beat out San Diego High's Charde Houston, Piedmont High junior Courtney Paris and Lynwood's Sade Wiley-Gatewood. ...

USC's Ebony Hoffman was one of 25 players confirmed to participate in the 2004 WNBA predraft camp April 7-8 at the Madison Square Garden Training Center in Tarrytown, N.Y. ...

Several local basketball players had good showings Sunday at the Slam Jam showcase at Cleveland High of Reseda. Among the top performances: Mike and Matt Hornbuckle combined for 53 points in Oaks Christian of Westlake Village's 78-74 victory over Royal; Calabasas point guard Drew Housman, picking up where he left off this season when he led the Coyotes to the Southern Section Div. III-AA finals, scored 32 points in an 81-59 victory over Burroughs of Burbank.

Other players who did well: Blake Wildt (Oak Park), Wade Kegley (Thousand Oaks), Chad McDaniel (Lancaster), Jordi Ubaldo (Hart) and Aaron Perry and Ralph Turner Jr. (Canoga Park). ...

The College of the Canyons hockey team won its first state title by defeating UC Davis 2-1 in overtime in the final of the Pacific Collegiate Hockey Association state championship March 28. The Cougars (22-7-2) defeated defending-state-champion Fresno twice during the division playoffs to earn a berth in the championship tournament at Lake Tahoe.

Canyons goalie Shaun Denes was named tournament MVP. ...

Outfielder Bryan Walker of the Agoura baseball team committed to Pennsylvania. He is the Chargers' fourth NCAA Division I-bound player. ...

The Marmonte League has become a popular place for former major-league pitchers, three of which are serving as pitching coaches in the league this year. In addition to Bret Saberhagen, who joined Calabasas' staff last season, Mike Magnante is working with Agoura's pitchers and Rich Rodriguez is in his first season at Moorpark. ...

Former Oak Park catcher Blake Nelson returned home last weekend as a member of the San Francisco baseball team for a series against Pepperdine. Although the Dons were swept, Nelson, a freshman, went 7 for 13 in the three-game series, boosting his average to .316 and .400 in West Coast Conference play. ...

The Simi Seals youth water polo program is holding signups for the summer season. Boys and girls of all skill levels are welcome. Information: [phone].

Staff Writers Heather Gripp and Ramona Shelburne contributed to this report.

Vincent Bonsignore, [phone]

vincent.bonsignore(at)dailynews.com

ATHLETES OF THE WEEK

CASEY HAERTHER

Senior

Chaminade

Haerther had been eagerly awaiting the chance to face Crespi of Encino baseball All-American Trevor Plouffe and he wasn't disappointed when he had the opportunity Tuesday. In his longest outing of the year, the sophomore right-hander outdueled Plouffe, making the Eagles of West Hills the first team in nearly a year to beat Plouffe, who entered the game with a 0.27 ERA.

Haerther threw five shutout innings with six strikeouts and three hits allowed, none by Plouffe. Haerther also went 2 for 3 in the upset that put Chaminade of West Hills in a tie for first place in the Mission League. In Friday's rematch with nationally ranked Crespi, Haerther was walked three times. He added a hit in a nonleague victory Saturday over Westlake.

KYLA SULLIVAN

Senior

Saugus

The Western Michigan-bound softball pitcher won four games and was the MVP of the High Desert Classic tournament in Lancaster. The Centurions won the championship 4-2 over Highland of Palmdale on March 29.

Sullivan allowed only two runs in the four games and has paced Saugus' current winning streak of nine games.

UP AND COMER

NICHELAE HENDERSON

Lawrence Middle School of Chatsworth

Henderson, a 5-foot-9 forward, is one of the region's top young girls' basketball players. She's an all-around player who can score, defend and rebound. She recently led her San Fernando Jaguars travel team to the Valley Youth Conference 14-under championship.

THEN AND NOW

The softball season has been one of the highest scoring the area has seen in ... maybe ever. For those who miss a great pitching duel, here's a look at an area classic:

``As each zero was posted Thursday on the Quartz Hill High School scoreboard, Saugus girls' softball head coach Ron Hilton grew more confident that his team would eventually prevail.

Saugus pitcher Kerry Coudry and Quartz Hill hurler Heather Meyer were locked in a scoreless battle for eight innings, until the Centurions broke through in the ninth with two runs.

Saugus took a 2-0 win in a key matchup between the two teams favored to battle for the Golden League title.

``Our confidence built as the game wore on,'' Hilton said. ``They missed out on a couple opportunities, and I think Kerry got stronger as the game went on. Their pitcher started to tire, and after the second or third time through the lineup we were able to put the ball in play.''

Saugus is 15-1 overall and 2-0 in league, and Quartz Hill is 9-2 and 1-1.

The Rebels' best chance to score may have been their first, as catcher Donna Villa tripled with one out in the bottom of the first inning. But Lolita Allen fouled out to the catcher on the first pitch, and cleanup hitter Brandi Macias struck out.

``That was our best chance,'' Quartz Hill head coach Coy Ray said. ``In a game like this, you know you are only going to get two or three chances. They were able to get the big hits at the right time.''

The Rebels also put runners on first base with one out or less in the second, fifth and sixth innings, but could get no one past second.

Meyer, meanwhile, retired the first 13 Centurion batters before giving up a triple to Kelly Kranz with one out in the fifth inning. Meyer then retired the next two batters.''

- Originally published in the Daily News on April 10, 1992

CAPTION(S):

3 photos, 5 boxes

Photo:

(1) CASEY HAERTHER

(2) KYLA SULLIVAN

(3) NICHELAE HENDERSON

Box:

(1) ATHLETES OF THE WEEK (see text)

(2) UP AND COMER (see text)

(3) THEN AND NOW (see text)

(4) STATILICIOUS

(5) ON DECK: Highlights of the coming week