COC LINEMAN CHANGES HIS MIND.

Byline: GERRY GITTELSON Community Sports

Three weeks after committing to a Washington football scholarship, College of the Canyons offensive lineman James Paulk has changed his mind after learning of Huskies coach Keith Gilbertson's resignation.

``James has rescinded his commitment,'' College of the Canyons coach Chuck Lyon said.

In the midst of Washington's worst season in 35 years, Gilbertson announced Nov. 1 he is leaving at the end of the season by mutual agreement with the athletic department.

Paulk, a 6-foot-4, 295-pounder from Appling County, Ga., also has been offered a scholarship by Oklahoma and could commit soon, according to Lyon.

Several other Canyons starters are closing in on Division I-A scholarships, including receiver Tyrell Smith, tight end Jason Lance, defensive back Roshawn Marshall and defensive linemen David Stanton and Tomi Halai.

--Valencia High girls' basketball standout Kelley Tarver has committed to Cal State Bakersfield, turning down scholarship offers from Rhode Island and Howard. Tarver, Valencia's all-time leading scorer, plans to sign Wednesday, the first day of the weeklong early signing period.

``Family comes first, and I wanted to be close to home,'' said Tarver, who has relatives in Bakersfield. ``I just thought Bakersfield is a good school and a good place for me.''

In other girls' basketball recruiting, Hart's Joy Sterling has committed to Albany after an official visit with her parents. Sterling, a transfer from Alemany of Mission Hills, plans to sign Wednesday alongside Ashlee Trebilcock, who committed to UCLA early last season.

--Three Foothill League football teams automatically qualify for the 16-team Southern Section Div. II playoffs, while fourth-place Saugus (6-3, 2-2) appears a clear choice for one of four at-large berths.

The first criteria for an at-large berth is an overall record of .500 or better, and Saugus - which figures to be a heavy underdog in the regular-season finale against Valencia (8-1, 4-0) on Friday - has as many or more wins than any fourth-place team among the division's four leagues.

Plus, with overall strength of schedule and strength of league among the criteria, Saugus figures to have an advantage over most in those departments.

Others on the cusp include Los Osos of Rancho Cucamonga (6-3), Capistrano Valley (5-4), Dana Hills (5-4) of Dana Point, Rancho Cucamonga (5-4) and Diamond Bar (4-5).

--A year after reaching the Southern Section eight-man football final with a team filled with junior starters, Santa Clarita Christian was given a tough draw in the playoffs, which begin this weekend. The Cardinals (6-2) open on the road against Harbor League champion Windward of Los Angeles (7-1) in a game tentatively scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Friday, though Santa Clarita has requested a change to 2:30 p.m. Saturday.

Windward's only loss was a 26-16 defeat to powerful La Jolla Country Day in Week 3.

``It's certainly not an easy game,'' Santa Clarita Christian coach Garrick Moss said.

If Santa Clarita Christian wins, the team probably would play host to high-scoring Bloomington Christian of Rialto (8-1) in the quarterfinals. Fourth-seeded Bloomington Christian has scored 56 points or more in five consecutive games.

If Santa Clarita Christian advances and Bloomington Christian gets upset by visiting Laton (4-4), then Santa Clarita Christian will have to make a four-hour trip to Laton, located near Fresno.

--Keep an eye on up-and-coming quarterback Chace Boscia, an 11- year-old flag football standout who has passed for 27 touchdowns and led his team to a 10-0 record in recreation competition at Central Park in Saugus this season.

Boscia plans to begin playing tackle football in the Santa Clarita Warriors program this fall, and he is scheduled to attend Saugus High.

His favorite receiver is Lonnie Jackson, who has scored 14 touchdowns, along with Josh Arguellez.