COLLEGE OF THE CANYONS: SHE'LL CUT YOU OFF WITH THE PASS COC'S AVANECY IS PROOF POWER LAYS IN POINT GUARD.

Byline: Gideon Rubin Staff Writer

SANTA CLARITA - Fans who are easily impressed by crossover dribbles and no-look passes might find it easy to overlook Natalie Avanecy.

The starting point guard at College of the Canyons is not one of the flashier or more-athletic players at her position. However, what she does works.

Avanecy leads the Western State Conference at seven assists per game, which has helped the Cougars become the most productive offensive team in the state at 83.9 points per game.

Whatever she might lack in flamboyance, Avanecy more than makes up for with excellent court vision and deadly accurate passes.

Don't misunderstand her. She has nothing against her more glitzy counterparts. She simply focuses on substance over style.

``I'd rather make the better pass than do the crossover and behind-the- back (pass),'' she said. ``I'd rather use my energy to look around the court and look at everybody instead of doing the crossover and looking at the ball so I don't lose it. I try to look up as much as I can.''

Avanecy was the team's leading scorer during her prep career at Burbank High, one of the area's weaker programs. She never had an opportunity to develop her passing skills because ``there was nobody there to finish.''

That changed dramatically when she arrived at COC, which is loaded with players who can put the ball in the basket. Now, she scores less and wins more. The Cougars - 23-6, 10-0 after their 82-62 victory Wednesday over West L.A. - were ranked eighth in the state in the most recent poll.

Avanecy and her sophomore teammates could finish their COC careers without a conference loss if they win their two remaining WSC Southern Division games. The Cougars have won 22 consecutive divisional games.

Still, Avanecy expects more. She believes the Cougars are capable of winning the state title next month.

She isn't sure whether she'll continue her career at a four-year school. She's focused on her academic career, and she said she hopes to become a teacher/basketball coach at Burbank.

However, don't be surprised if she plays two more seasons. She was reluctant to play community college basketball before deciding it would help her coaching career.

``A (former) coach told me, `If you don't like it, you can always quit,' '' she said.

The Cougars are glad she didn't.

COC coach Greg Herrick's wide-open, fast-break offense relies on a point guard's proficiency to a greater extent than many systems. The Cougars have a long-standing tradition of producing outstanding point guards, including Kyetra Brown, who led the team to the state championship game in 1997.

Herrick said Avanecy's court vision, leadership and ability to anticipate player movement sets her apart from her WSC counterparts.

``She's as important to our team as anybody,'' Herrick said.

Freshman point guard Shakaria Jones, Avanecy's heir apparent, said she has gained a lot from Avanecy's mentorship.

``She's taught me that it's not all about how much talent you have,'' Jones said. ``It's about how hard you work.

``She sees the whole court, and she hits people right on the spot when they're open, and not too late.''

Freshman shooting guard Kristie Umemoto said Avanecy's perfectly placed ``dime passes'' amaze her.

``Sometimes I don't think the ball is going to get there, but it always does,'' she said.

For Avanecy, there is perhaps nothing more rewarding than recognizing an opponent's missed defensive assignment or a player that can't quite keep up with a teammate racing up the floor in transition.

``If you catch them in that mistake, then we get an easy basket,'' she said.

Avanecy said she's enjoyed her experience at COC, and not just the basketball.

``Everybody here has been really helpful,'' she said.

But after playing on a losing team in high school, she can't help but savor the moment.

``It feels good to win,'' she said.

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College of the Canyons point guard Natalie Avanecy and her grasp of the game have helped the Cougars to a No. 8 ranking in the state.

Eric Grigorian/Special to the Daily News