COC'S SEARCH HASN'T ENDED COUGARS SEEK CONSISTENCY.

Byline: Scott Magoloff Staff Writer

VALENCIA - There had been many similarities between this year's College of the Canyons men's basketball team and last year's.

The biggest difference, which may keep the Cougars (11-16, 4-5) out of the playoffs, was that they never put a complete, consistent game together once the Western State Conference season began. Last year's team struggled early but put it together by the middle of the regular season.

This year's team has simply struggled all along and there are only three games remaining. It has played quality games in conference at times, only to revert back former ways the next.

COC had one of its better games in a 71-59 victory at West L.A. on Saturday. This week offers the final opportunity for the Cougars to come together and make a push for the playoffs. It can start when Canyons plays at Bakersfield tonight.

``We've just been sputtering along most of the year,'' coach Lee Smelser said. ``We've had some really good games against good teams and we haven't played well against teams that aren't contenders. We haven't been on an even keel and that's really hurt us.

``The game at Bakersfield is pivotal. We have to win. That would make us 5-5 and we'd be looking to position ourselves to try to get in.''

--Not coming back: The COC softball team will be without key players whom coach Ray Whitten had no reason to suspect would not be back this year.

Pitcher Stacy Eastman and left fielder Dani Socha will not play this year. Socha told Whitten she had too many other interests, although she might decide to play again next year.

Eastman is a different story. Whitten recalls her telling him in September that she would see him in the coming week. Whitten is still waiting to hear from her.

--Still in pain: Corrie Atwood, who graduated from Saugus High last year, and fellow Saugus graduate Stephanie Blaire (1998) make up two-thirds of COC's pitching staff, along with all-conference selection Kelly Presten.

Atwood and Blaire haven't been at full strength since they were in a car accident in August. The car they were traveling in was hit by a car whose driver had run a red light, Whitten said.

``They're still going to therapy for aches and pains and at times they still get back and neck pains,'' Whitten said. ``They're basically OK. I have both of them and that's excellent.''

--350 and counting: Women's basketball coach Greg Herrick recorded his 350th career victory when COC defeated Valley 68-60 on Jan. 29.

Herrick's 300th victory also came against the Monarchs.

--Not to be outdone: Smelser has been at the helm of the COC men's basketball program since its inception in 1969. During his tenure, he has compiled a 423-469 record (when you add eight seasons as Morningside High's head coach, Smelser eclipses the 500-victory total).

--Welcome back: Whitten was going out on a limb when he chose to give center fielder Lacy Bregger a chance to play at COC as a favor to her grandmother. Bregger hadn't played competitive softball since her travel team in ninth grade.

``She can probably start in any outfield position for any team in the state of California,'' Whitten said. ``You name it, she's got it: speed, a glove, an arm, a bat, she's not afraid to dive through the air to catch a line drive. She could have played through 12th grade and she hasn't missed a beat by not playing those years.''

Whitten said Bregger began her high school career at Hart of Newhall but graduated from the Learning Post, which is an alternative education option.