PREP BASKETBALL NOTEBOOK: CLEVELAND SEEKS MORE DISCIPLINE WITH LEVITT BACK.

Byline: Vincent Bonsignore Staff Writer

Remember when you asked your dad for something and he said no, then you ran to your mom, asked her for the same thing and she said yes?

Ultimately you got what you wanted, but mom and dad were mad at each other.

That pretty much describes the situation for the Cleveland High boys' basketball team recently. The Cavaliers were coached by the duo of Adam Levitt and James Morris last year, a system that seemed successful on the surface the Cavaliers were 21-5 last season but rapidly deteriorated without one clear dominant voice.

Levitt, sensing the problem, stepped down as co-coach just before practice started in November, leaving Morris in charge. Cleveland won seven of 11 games to open the season, but Levitt received a surprising phone call two weeks ago from Cleveland principal Al Weiner about returning.

This time as the head coach, without Morris, who hasn't been reached for comment. School officials have not yet commented on the change.

Levitt eagerly accepted once it was established he would have full control.

``I feel more comfortable because it's my program and I can run it the way I want it to be run,'' said Levitt, who watched Cleveland beat Locke earlier this year, the only game he saw in person.

Levitt won't identify Morris as the primary problem, but clearly he was disturbed at the lack of discipline with the Cavaliers. Too often, without a singular authoritative voice, players took advantage.

Even when Levitt stepped down last month, there appeared to be trouble. The Cavaliers, one of the most talented teams in the area, underachieved with a 7-4 record.

That should improve under Levitt, a demanding coach who has the respect of his players.

``I think they've been looking for someone to take charge and lead them,'' Levitt said. ``Even though they're 7-4, and think they all realize they have the talent to do better.''

Cleveland was off last week. Levitt took advantage with a full slate of practices, which he later described as excellent. The Cavaliers test the new look tonight against San Fernando in the opening round of the Hart tournament.

``My first love is teaching and developing, and that's what I bring,'' Levitt said. ``I'm glad to be back and I think they're glad to have me back. In a way it's been like a shot of adrenaline. Now we want to go out and have a great tournament.''

Levitt is looking forward to working with the impressive talent on hand, especially newcomer Anthony Davis, a 6-4 transfer from Locke who is enjoying a fabulous season thus far.

Thanks, boss: Hopefully Simi Valley basketball coach Christian Aurand had a special gift this Christmas for Dean Bradshaw, who stepped down as coach during the offseason, leaving Aurand in charge of a finely tuned machine.

Take nothing away from Aurand, who has long been identified as a rising star in the coaching ranks and has done nothing thus far to change the perception.

Just that the Pioneers have been so impressive, you have to wonder if the Three Stooges could coach this club.

Simi Valley, undefeated through nine games, breezed through the Reebok Holiday Prep Classic in Las Vegas last week, winning the Gold Cup bracket championship with a 71-48 win over Champagnet of Hialeah, Fla., in the final.

Granted, the tournament isn't quite as prestigious as years past, when national powers Mt. Zion, Oak Hill Academy, Dominguez and Mater Dei were participants. But Simi Valley still beat some impressive teams.

Right now, the Pioneers are clearly the top team in the region, boasting the powerful one-two punch of forwards Brett Michel and Branduinn Fullove, improving point guard Shaun Mitchell and 6-9 forward Dustin Villepigue.

The Pioneers should breeze through the Marmonte League. The question now is, how far do they go in the playoffs? Of course, they'll have their hands full this week at the Nike Prep Classic at Torrey Pines High, where they could face Mater Dei.