UNLIKELY NOHO ON BRINK OVERLOOKED HUSKIES HAVE CHANCE TO WIN SUNSET SIX.

Byline: SEAN CEGLINSKY

Special to the Daily News

North Hollywood wasn't expected to make much of an impact on the City Section boys' basketball landscape this year. In fact, it would have been difficult locating the Huskies on the map when the season began more than two months ago.

Finishing somewhere in the middle of the pack in the Sunset Six League standings was within reason. Making a run towards a postseason appearance would have sufficed, but qualifying for the Invitational playoffs wasn't necessarily the final destination.

Their goals were modest. Moreover, the team was realistic about what it hoped to accomplish.

Very few could have imagined North Hollywood heading into tonight's regular season finale against host Poly of Sun Valley at 7 p.m. with a chance to secure a share of the league title. And most within the program readily admit as much.

"We came into this year just thinking about having some fun and not really worrying about fitting in," Huskies coach Rob Bloom said. "But hey, here we are, with a chance of doing something big."

Defeating Poly (19-5, 8-1) won't be easy, considering the Parrots will have revenge on their minds after losing to the Huskies (17-10, 7-2) by five points in the teams' first encounter in late January.

"We respect North Hollywood and won't be underestimating them because we know how good they are and what they can do," Poly coach Brad Katz said. "Give them credit, they've beat some good teams and are playing well at the right time."

"Honestly, though, there's nothing better than playing the last game of the season, at home, on a Friday night, for first place and a league championship. We're ready. We're focused."

Jesse Zarate has emerged as the leader for the Huskies. The 5-foot-11 junior guard leads the team in scoring with 14.8points per game and averages 3.1rebounds, 2.6 assists and 2.1steals.

He's been effective down the stretch, averaging 21.5 points while guiding the Huskies to six consecutive league wins.

"Jesse's game has taken off," Bloom said. "When the ball is in his hands, he makes good decisions. He's our go-to-guy."

Forwards Tim Horn (6-6) and Ritzie Williams (6-5) have provided a steady presence inside and combine to average 13.8 points and 15.4 rebounds. Williams has 57 blocks, tops among City players in the area.

Jordin Carroll has developed into a reliable No.2 scoring option, averaging 10.8 points, and Milton Henriquez and Ricky Avila have done well with sharing time running the team from the point guard position.

"Our goal was to come out and basically play hard this season and see what we could do," Zarate said. "We didn't expect things to end up like this."

"We've kept our heads up all year and have come together as a team, as a unit. Everyone knows their role and we're proving to the people who thought we were underdogs that they were wrong."

Poly and Grant of Van Nuys came in to the season as the front runners to win the league league. North Hollywood was nearly an afterthought.

The perception will begin to change with a victory over the Parrots. But the Huskies also are looking forward to the playoffs.

North Hollywood figures to be one of the top four seeded teams when the Invitational tournament pairings are announced Saturday. University of Los Angeles is just one of the teams looming as a possible challenger in the championship game March 1.

"We're in control our destiny now, which is something I didn't think I'd be able to say at the beginning of the season," Bloom said. "The kids have bought into what were doing and we've been able to turn the corner because of it."

"Our approach to the game has changed. We're confident. We feel like we can compete with anyone. Winning a league title and an Invitational title would be the best of both worlds."

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Q&A

... WITH CHEYENNE WEEKLEY

A senior center on the Louisville High of Woodland Hills girls' basketball team, McIntyre has averaged 20 points and 11 rebounds per game this season. The 6-foot-1 standout has committed to UCSD, where she is expected to make an immediate impact with the Tritons.

DN: Although you have had quite a bit of individual success this season, your team (10-16 overall, 2-8 Mission League) has struggled to compete at times. Is it hard to remain positive while the losses pile up?

MM: I'm a competitive player, so it can be frustrating to lose. But I still go out there every night with a positive attitude, and I still enjoy the game. I pride myself on putting forth my best effort every night and doing whatever it takes to help my team win.

DN: The Mission League is consistently recognized as one of the most competitive leagues in the area. This year is no different, with Harvard- Westlake of Studio City and Chaminade of West Hills both ranked in the Daily News' top 10. Do you look forward to that challenge?

MM: It has been difficult at times, because those are some pretty good teams. I've seen double and triple teams, but I love the challenge. It has forced me to improve my game.

DN: You're considered one of the top post players in the area this season, but there are many others having impressive seasons as well. Who are the top players you've gone up against in your four-year varsity career?

MM: Nicole Hung has played really well this year for Harvard-Westlake this year, and she's only a freshman. Zaina Akeh from Notre Dame (of Sherman Oaks) is also very good. But the best was probably (2005 Chaminade grad) Kelly Cochran, who is now at UC Irvine.

DN: You are heading to UCSD after you graduate in June.

What are some of the fondest

high school memories you will bring with you?

MM: Last season, I hit the game-winning free throws in a triple-overtime win over Flintridge Sacred Heart (of La Canada Flintridge). That was a pretty special moment. Other than that, I will remember all of my teammates, coaches and teachers. My experience here has been great.

-- Kevin Connelly 

IN THE PAINT

Perhaps Mark Hicks is one of the best kept secrets around, but the senior from tiny Bethel Christian of Lancaster won't be for much longer, especially if he continues to light up the scoreboard at the torrid pace he did earlier this week.

The 6-foot guard scored 61 points in an 88-52 victory over Vasquez of Acton on Monday, a total that ranks fifth in area history and the most in the modern era since the advent of the 3-point arc.

"Honestly, I had no idea I had that many points until the scorekeeper told me," Hicks said. "It was like the game slowed down and I couldn't miss. I was in the zone. It was just one of those things."

If Hicks didn't sit out the final six minutes of the lopsided win against the Mustangs, he might have broken the all-time area record set by Eagle Rock's Doug Dunlap, who scored 69 in a 97-69 victory over Lincoln in 1969.

"They tried every thing to stop him, box-in-one defenses, guarding him with three players at a time. Nothing worked," Bethel Christian coach Charles Cameron said. "If the game was close, he's in there until the end and ends up with 75 or 80 points. No doubt about it."

The eye-opening effort shouldn't come as major surprise considering Hicks, in his fourth-year as a starter, is averaging 32.4 points per game. He's eclipsed the 30-point mark 10 times and the 40-point plateau on five occasions.

Hicks has received recruiting interest from several NAIA programs, such as Biola, Pomona-Pitzer and Vanguard. Cal Lutheran, San Bernardino and Cal St. Bakersfield have also expressed interest, though he doesn't plan on making a decision until sometime after the season.

CAPTION(S):

2 photos, 4 boxes

Photo:

(1) The North Hollywood boys' basketball team is led by Jesse Zarate, right, battling for the ball with teammate Joe Gilchresthas.

David Sprague/Staff Photographer

(2) no caption (Mollie McIntre)

Contributed

Box:

(1) Q&A (see text)

(2) IN THE PAINT (see text)

(3) BOYS' TOP 25

(4) GIRLS' TOP 25