UPON FURTHER REVIEW: THANK YOU FOR ALL THE MEMORIES.

Byline: VINCENT BONSIGNORE

I've never been good at saying goodbye, so as I write my final local column for the Daily News after eight wonderful years I'll say thank you instead.

Thank you, Gilbert Arenas, for your magical basketball career at Grant of Van Nuys and your ascent to stardom in the NBA.

The world knows you as one of the best guards in professional basketball, but I remember you for the night you dropped 48 points on Crenshaw in the City playoffs. And how, a few years later, your father told me how he inspired you minutes before the opening tip-off by telling you of a conversation he overheard some Crenshaw fans having in the men's bathroom.

``They said nobody comes to the `Shaw' and shows them up,'' your father told you.

You didn't show them up. You amazed them by nearly single-handedly beating them. After the game a mob of Crenshaw fans surrounded you just to pay their respects. There was no anger. Just awe.

Classic.

While we're talking about basketball, thank yous go out to Branduinn Fullove and the great Simi Valley teams under coaches Dean Bradshaw and Christian Aurand.

And Jordan Farmar at Taft, who will play in the NBA some day. Farmar played one of the gutsiest games I've ever seen when he willed the Toreadors to the City championship in 2003-2004.

I'll never forget the classic battles between Taft and Cleveland of Reseda, and how classy coaches Andre Chevalier and Derrick Taylor publicly made up after a brief feud by talking to each other's teams before a big game.

I'd be remiss not to tip my cap to Greg Hilliard and the dynasty he's built at Harvard-Westlake of North Hollywood. It started with twin towers Jason and Jarron Collins and followed with Bryce Taylor and Ed White and Alex Stepheson and Zach Woolridge.

Amazing players and teams.

A thank you goes out to Dick Dornan at Crespi of Encino and star guard Andrew Moore, who got more out of his ability than any player I know. And I still can't forget the best game I ever saw when Luke Walton and University High of San Diego edged Scott Borchart and Chaminade of West Hills in double overtime in the State playoffs.

More thanks go to coaches Bort Escoto (Sylmar), Russell White (Calabasas), Steve Johnson (Newbury Park) Howie Levine (Grant) and all the others who devote their time and effort to the kids they coach.

Where do I start with football? It has to be Camarillo quarterback Joe Borchard, the greatest three-way athlete I've ever seen. He plays for the Chicago White Sox now, but I remember him taking an average Camarillo football team to a Southern Section championship, beating Justin Fargas and Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks in the title game.

And how about Fargas? Hands down the best running back I've ever seen. I'll never forget a frigid night in San Luis Obispo when Notre Dame faced a third-and-23 and Fargas dragged three defenders on a wild 25-yard run.

Notre Dame is also the place Travis Johnson burst onto the scene as a dominant defensive lineman. He later played at Florida State and is now with the Houston Texans. Fans of the NFL know him as a first-round pick and millionaire football player. I remember him as the guy who'd call me from time to time from college to say hi and check in on the scuttle from the local scene.

Fargas and Johnson are two of the classiest people I ever came across. No surprise considering they played under Kevin Rooney, a legend in the San Fernando Valley.

I can close my eyes and see the brilliant Steve Smith of Taft making one amazing catch after another. His coach, Troy Starr, called one day to tell me about Smith when he was a freshman practicing against the varsity team.

``He's killing the varsity guys,'' Starr said.

All anyone has to do now is watch Smith playing at USC to understand Starr was witnessing the initial steps of greatness.

By the way, thanks, Troy. Some people misunderstand you. I happen to think you're the best man for a tough job. And the next time you think about stepping down, call me so I can talk you out of it.

Of course I have to say thanks to the great Hart teams over the years. And to quarterback Kyle Boller, now with the Baltimore Ravens. I doubt I'll ever see anyone throw a football farther or with more accuracy.

Which brings me to the Clausens, the great quarterback family. Casey started it all at Alemany of Mission Hills, then came Ricky at Taft. Both went on to start at Tennessee. Now, of course, comes Jimmy at Oaks Christian of Westlake Village. All three are class kids who deserve every bit of the success they've earned.

I could go on and on, but my editors are telling me I'm running long so I'll wrap it up with this: Thank you to all the great athletes, all the committed coaches and all the wonderful parents I've crossed paths with over the years.

It's been a pleasure.

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Photo:

Former Grant High of Van Nuys basketball standout Gilbert Arenas delivered a memorable performance against Crenshaw high.

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