SCOREBOARD: FACTS, FIGURES AND COMMENTS FROM AREA EVENTS : PREPS

The four-time defending champion La Canada boys’ basketball team begins Rio Hondo League play Friday night when it plays host to Blair.

La Canada is favored to repeat as league champion, but the Spartans’ long-range goal is to avoid losing in the quarterfinals of the Southern Section playoffs as they have the past four seasons.

La Canada took a step toward possibly overcoming that stumbling block by defeating Santa Margarita, 80-78, on Saturday. Santa Margarita eliminated La Canada from the playoffs last season.

La Canada’s victory was all the more impressive because it was accomplished without point guard Brent Ballard, who sprained an ankle during the Spartans’ 55-47 victory over Crescenta Valley Friday.

La Canada has been getting outstanding play from junior center Richard Mandeville and senior forwards Ryan Asplund and Jimmy Evans.

Five football players from Glendale-area high schools were selected to All-Southern Section teams in their respective divisions by the Amateur Athletic Foundation.

Glendale High running back Pathon Rucker was named to the Division II team for the second consecutive year. Dynamiter wide receiver Mike Wright and lineman Max Ocon were also selected to the Division II team.

La Canada lineman Mike Stewart and St. Francis linebacker Chris Hamela were selected to the Division VII team.

COMMUNITY COLLEGES

Coaches say there is a fine line between winning and losing.

For the Glendale College men’s basketball team, the fine line was the three-point line in Saturday’s 64-63 Western State Conference loss to Moorpark.

Trailing 64-61 with eight seconds left, Glendale’s Harry Marks made what appeared to be an off-balance three-point shot. Officials, however, ruled that Marks was not beyond the three-point line.

The Vaqueros dropped to 8-8 overall and 1-1 in the WSC.

The Glendale College women’s basketball team also lost to Moorpark, 78-56.

Denise Delponte scored 19 points for the Vaqueros, who entered the week 7-9.

COLLEGES

The Occidental men’s basketball team suffered a major loss when it was announced that senior forward Sandy Brown will miss the remainder of the season because of a knee injury.

Brown, who was an All-Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Assn. selection last season, was injured Dec. 30 against Pacific University (Ore.).

Occidental plays host to Rhode Island College Friday night at Occidental and Southern Massachusetts Saturday night at La Verne.

The Tigers open play in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Jan. 15 at Whittier.

PREP ATHLETE OF WEEK

Justin Johnston, St. Francis--Johnston, a goalie for the soccer team, had eight saves during St. Francis’ 2-0 victory over Muir, which was ranked third in the Southern Section 2-A Division.

Tim Durkin and Eric Hewko scored goals for St. Francis (6-3-4).

COLLEGE ATHLETE OF WEEK

Blair Slattery, Occidental--Slattery, a 6-foot-6, 225-pound sophomore from San Marino, scored 33 points, had 14 rebounds and 10 steals in the Tigers’ 100-86 victory over Webster University (Mo.).

Slattery is averaging 20 points and 11.5 rebounds for the Tigers. He is shooting 58% from the field.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW

Jeff Sofro--The former All-Southern Section guard from Glendale High is averaging 15 points, five rebounds and 2.8 assists a game for the University of Redlands.

Sofro, a 6-1 senior who was selected to the National Assn. of Intercollegiate Athletics All-District team last season, has helped the Bulldogs to a 7-2 record entering Friday night’s game against Eastern Connecticut.

Redlands opens Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play Jan. 15 against Claremont.

MISCELLANY

Several youth baseball organizations are conducting registration for upcoming leagues. The Crescenta Sports Assn., which sponsors baseball and softball leagues, will hold registration Saturday and Jan. 25 at Dunsmore Park. Information: (818) 249-0915. La Crescenta Babe Ruth sign-ups will also be held Jan. 25. Information: (818) 248-9065.

La Canada youth leagues information: (818) 952-6200.