GIRLS' BASKETBALL NOTEBOOK: A.V. GRAD'S GAME HEADS UPWARD.

Byline: Ramona Shelburne Staff Writer

Long Beach State is only about 50 miles south of Pepperdine University in Malibu, but that journey down the coast has made all the difference for former Antelope Valley standout Crystal McCutcheon.

McCutcheon, the Daily News Player of the Year in 2001, signed with Pepperdine out of high school, but quickly realized that it wasn't the place for her. She was uncomfortable socially at the small, private school, struggled to find playing time and transferred after one season.

But at Long Beach State, McCutcheon has blossomed.

She's a candidate for first-team all Big West Conference honors, is one of only two players in the conference to rank in the top 10 in five different statistical categories and has the 49ers in position to make a NCAA Tournament bid.

``I'm much more comfortable here at Long Beach State,'' she said. ``At Pepperdine, it was such a different place from the Antelope Valley. Palm trees there are like 50 grand.''

Things didn't exactly go smoothly for McCutcheon when she started at Long Beach State.

McCutcheon was signed by coach Dallas Bolla but within months of that signing, Bolla was out as the 49ers' coach after her contract was allowed to expire.

That left McCutcheon in limbo. But fortunately for McCutcheon, new coach Mary Hegarty and her staff were welcoming. Nevertheless, it was still a strange position to be in.

``When I first found about it, I was upset, because it would be four coaches in four years for me, going back to high school,'' McCutcheon said.

Little did she know at the time, that Hegarty was the kind of coach McCutcheon needed.

Hegarty, a standout guard at UCLA from 1980-84, is known for her mental toughness and positive outlook. McCutcheon's skills were already highly developed when she entered college, but her mental game needed some work.

``A couple of years ago, I'd have a lot of frustration if I missed a shot or something, but she's helped me to get past it and not put my head down,'' McCutcheon said. ``It's all about the team now. ... I have to stay focused on the things I can control.''

Because she had to redshirt a year after transferring, McCutcheon is on track to graduate in May, but has one year of eligibility remaining. Because of her success and relationship with Hegarty, McCutcheon has decided to come back for another season, provided she gets into a graduate program.

Ramona Shelburne, [phone]

ramona.shelburne(at)dailynews.com