WSC BEAT; MOORPARK TAKING IT IN STRIDE; RAIDERS END LONG DROUGHT.

Byline: Scott Magoloff Staff Writer

It's not a big deal that the Moorpark College men's basketball team defeated Western State Conference rival Ventura on Saturday for the first time since 1986. At least, that's what Raiders coach Remy McCarthy said about the 97-76 victory.

``I was at Oxnard College and University of Utah at that time and (Ventura coach) Greg Winslow wasn't at Ventura at the time,'' McCarthy said. ``Maybe I'm just a dinosaur, but I think it was significant because it was a conference game.''

The victory gave Moorpark (17-6, 2-1) a different view of the WSC North Division. The Raiders had won their last two entering Wednesday's game against Cuesta after a disappointing conference-opening loss to Oxnard.

The fact is, after tearing up their nonconference competition, the loss was somewhat of a letdown. But McCarthy said his players have nothing to be ashamed of. All six of the teams Moorpark has lost to have at least 16 victories.

--Coming together: After a sluggish start to its season, the College of the Canyons men's basketball team is starting to play a more well-rounded game. Saturday's 93-80 victory against Bakersfield was the best overall performance of the year for COC, coach Lee Smelser said.

``We seem to be playing with a little more confidence,'' he said. ``They feel now that if they play hard and play together, they'll have the opportunity to be there at the end of the game.''

One of the key players who embodies the improvements the team has made is freshman Nick Echevestre. The Saugus High graduate had 19 points against Bakersfield, bringing his WSC scoring average up to 13.8 points, third-highest on the team, and 7.8 rebounds.

Echevestre averaged 4.8 points and 3.2 rebounds in 18 nonconference games.

``In league, he's been our most consistent,'' Smelser said. ``He's not playing like a freshman right now. It's kind of like he's had some past experience, but we know that's not true as far as college is concerned.''

Smelser credits Echevestre's improvements to a number of factors, including the many open looks he gets because defenses tend to focus on Anthony Ellison and Nana Gbewonyo. To his credit, Echevestre has been hitting his shots and also has learned how to take the physical punishment his 6-foot-4, 170-pound frame absorbs.

--Waiting for the son: The Antelope Valley College men's basketball team has struggled since Brady Chelette, coach Newton Chelette's son, went down with a stress fracture in his right leg on Jan. 3. He actually suffered the injury in December, but continued to play.

In that game against Cerro Coso, Brady hit five 3-pointers in about 14 minutes and then couldn't play any longer. He has an appointment with his doctor next week for an evaluation and should have a better idea of when he might return.

``It's been pretty devastating to him and it's hurt us,'' Newton said. ``He was a key ingredient to our team whether he was starting or coming off the bench.''

Since Brady has been out, AVC (14-11, 4-3) had lost back-to-back conference games for the first time in Newton Chelette's 11 years with the Marauders. The losses included a 75-71 home defeat to Barstow, which was AVC's first home conference loss in six years.

Things have gone the opposite way this season, with AVC 5-5 at home and 4-1 on the road. The Marauders find themselves in fourth place in the Foothill Conference with seven games remaining (four away) and a sixth consecutive conference championship is a reach, although certainly possible.

``It might be somebody else's turn,'' Newton Chelette said. ``It's still possible; we just have to win our games and let some other things happen.''

--Injured: Moorpark guard Alan Case sprained his ankle during Monday's practice and is out for two to three weeks. McCarthy said it could keep him out four to six weeks, although only time will tell. If it's a shorter absence, the Raiders benefit from having a bye next week.

McCarthy said Simmagin Smith should plan on playing more while Case is out.

``I told (Smith) you deserve to play more, but Alan's been playing so good,'' McCarthy said. ``Simmagin's a little taller and more athletic, but he's just not a sophomore. One of the reasons we're 17-6 is we start four sophomores.''

At the very least, Moorpark can lean on point guard Dan Galvanoni, who averages just under 19 points, six rebounds and five assists per game. Galvanoni was named WSC player of the week.

CAPTION(S):

3 photos

Photo: (1 -- color -- ran in AV edition only) Antelope Valley College's Jimmy White, shown driving to the basket, and his teammates are in fourth place in the Foothill Conference.

(2 -- color -- ran in SAC edition only) College of the Canyons' Michael Goldman and his teammates are beginning to jell.

Eric Grigorian/Special to the Daily News

(3 -- color -- ran in Simi and Conejo edition only) Moorpark College's Brian Smith and his teammates own a 17-6 overall record, 2-1 in the Western State Conference.

Evan Yee/Staff Photographer