SCORING HIGHER; PALMDALE GUARD IS HITTING BOTH BOOKS, BASKETS.

Byline: Gerry Gittelson Daily News Staff Writer

Kerry Yates is happy just to play basketball. The 30 points per game is a big bonus.

Yates, Palmdale High's blossoming senior guard, was academically ineligible for part of last season, and for his entire freshman season as well. But Yates soon realized his exceptional basketball talent isn't something to waste, so he has been keen to keep up with his studies.

Coach Garry Phelps, admitting surprise that Yates has been scoring so much, couldn't be happier.

``I really didn't expect Kerry to be this good,'' Phelps said. ``We didn't have many returners, so it kind of happened naturally. It's not like he's just shooting the ball every time, but when he shoots, he makes it.''

Yates popped for 44 against Granada Hills early this season and since then the only thing stopping him was a nasty bout with the flu two weeks ago.

But Yates, so important to the Falcons' hopes this season, did not let illness keep him from playing. Against Ridgecrest Burroughs last Tuesday, a sick, shivering Yates did not start. But when Palmdale fell behind by three points at halftime, Phelps had no choice but to insert his star shooter, who promptly swished three consecutive 3-pointers as the Falcons won going away 61-42. Yates, who should have been in bed, managed 15 points in 15 minutes.

Two nights later, Yates rocked Palo Verde for 37 points in a 66-51 win, as Palmdale improved to 4-2.

``We just don't have a lot of kids with playing experience on this team,'' Phelps said, ``so Kerry Yates has had to take the load on his shoulders.''

Yates almost single-handedly brought Palmdale back from a 13-point fourth-quarter deficit against North Hollywood. He scored 18 points in the last quarter - including 13 of 13 free throws - but the Falcons lost by one.

``I'd say Kerry proved himself as a pretty good clutch player that night,'' Phelps said.

Yates is 6-2, can hit from various distances and is a crowd-pleasing slam-dunker.

``You should have seen his dunks against Newbury Park,'' Phelps said. ``They were pretty impressive.''

Yates isn't the type to hog credit despite his scoring heroics.

``I'm just getting a lot of open looks and I'm making some jumpers,'' Yates said.

Yates does admit he has taken his leadership role seriously, a choice he had to make - considering Palmdale's lack of returning talent.

``There's only two or three of us back from last year,'' he said, ``so I figured I had to come forward and be the leader. I think I'm kind of surprising some people. Some teams will know about me and some teams won't know about me.''

Yates says his footwork without the ball has set up a lot of his points.

``I don't stay around in one place,'' he said. ``I move a lot and look for the ball a lot.''

Nowadays, the only time Yates stays in one place is during study hall.

``I'm doing a lot better,'' he says, referring - perhaps - both to basketball and his studies. ``This year, I'm concentrating on the books instead of slacking off. I have no excuses for the way things were before. I just got caught up in basketball and got lazy.''

Father Kerry Yates Sr. says it's great to see his son emerging as the area's premier basketball star, but studying still comes first.

``That's what I talk to Kerry about day after day like a church service,'' Yates said. ``Not just basketball, but homework.''

Yates Sr. was an accomplished player himself who played for the Marines. He said he recognized early his son's gift for the game.

``I think Kerry has always had the talent,'' he said. ``Even in middle school you could tell he was just athletically above his peers. Basketball has always been the main sport in the family - my sister played, too - and I think Kerry just grew up with it.''

Tim Phelps, a returning guard, said Yates' scoring has been within the context of team play.

``Kerry has been playing great and not just scoring,'' Phelps said. ``He's shown a lot of teamwork and really helps on defense. He's just a big asset. Kerry is definitely a playmaker and that's what we needed: someone to step up. I'm glad he's on my team.''

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PHOTO Kerry Yates has assumed the leadership role for Palmdale - and he has decided to hit the books, too.

Jeff Goldwater / Daily News