USC WOMEN TO RECORD FIRST HOME SELLOUT ON SATURDAY.

It didn't happen when Cheryl Miller was around. Lisa Leslie could not pull it off, either. But thanks to a clever promotional event and a heated crosstown rivalry game, the USC women's basketball team has sold out a home game for the first time in program history.

USC has sold all 10,000 tickets to Saturday morning's women's basketball game against UCLA. About half the tickets were sold as part of a promotional event called ``A Day in Troy,'' in which fans and families get a campus tour from USC athletes along with their ticket purchase.

``I really believe that we're playing the first of many sellouts for women's basketball in the Galen Center,'' USC coach Mark Trakh said. ``The USC-UCLA game is such an exciting atmosphere to be a part of.''

USC's previous single-game attendance record was 8,667, for last season's home game against UCLA on Jan. 21 at the Sports Arena.

-- Ramona Shelburne 

Westlake QB Campbell opts to fly to Air Force

Westlake quarterback Ryan Campbell is expected to sign a national letter of intent to attend the Air Force Academy today, Warriors' coach Jim Benkert said.

Campbell passed for 2,187 yards and 16 touchdowns this past season to lead Westlake to the Marmonte League title, a 12-1 record and the semifinals of the Northern Division playoffs.

``Ryan had a great senior year,'' Benkert said. ``He really put this team on his shoulders and carried us in the big games. He had to do it all offensively.''

-- Ramona Shelburne

WVL seeking six berths in City girls' soccer playoffs

The West Valley League kept its bid alive to have all six teams qualify for the upcoming City Section girls' soccer playoffs Tuesday night, as Amber Schwindler's goal off Emily Grubman's corner kick in the final 10 seconds rallied Cleveland of Reseda to a 1-1 tie at Taft of Woodland Hills.

``This is why we play. What an unbelievable finish,'' said Cleveland coach Hector Ramirez, whose team will conclude the regular season Thursday at Granada Hills.

``I just wanted to get something positive out of this game. And I have a good feeling we can do it again Thursday.''

With the tie, Cleveland (7-14-3, 0-7-2) kept its slim postseason hopes alive, while Taft (10-10-4, 1-6-2) secured fifth place, based on owning the tiebreaker against the Cavaliers.

``I was hoping we'd win (Tuesday) and win Thursday (against Birmingham) and finish fourth,'' said Taft coach Jarrett Gold, who received a goal from Nieshe Washington off a Natasha Miller corner kick in the 50th minute.

``But I think Cleveland should be in the playoffs. They're a scary team. I wouldn't want to face them again.''

-- Erik Boal

Simi Valley to retire Jered Weaver's No. 25 jersey

Simi Valley High will retire Angels pitcher Jered Weaver's number during halftime of Friday's basketball game against Royal of Simi Valley. Weaver's family and former teammates from his days on the Pioneers' baseball and basketball teams are expected to be on hand for the ceremony to retire the No.25 that Weaver wore.

The Pioneers' plan to hand out special baseball cards to all fans to commemorate the event.

The game will begin at 7:30 p.m. Weaver, 24, went 11-2 with a 2.56 ERA last season as a rookie with the Angels.

-- Heather Gripp

Valencia's Bercovici earns spot on U-17 rugby team

Alexander Bercovici, Valencia High's JV football team's co-offensive lineman of the year, has earned a spot on the United States Under-17 men's national rugby team.

The 6-foot-6, 210-pound sophomore was selected from a pool of 100 athletes at camp in Arizona. Bercovici will travel to Texas later this month to try to earn a spot on the 26-player team roster that will travel to the World Rugby Festival in England.

-- Gerry Gittelson

Three area players named sophomore All-Americans

Moorpark's Rachael Kidder, Thousand Oaks' Ellen Querrey and Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks' Taylor Horton were all recognized as sophomore All-Americans by PrepVolleyball.com.

Kidder was a first-team All-Marmonte League selection, Querrey was a second-team Marmonte League honoree and Horton received first-team Mission League honors.

-- Erik Boal