Bell-Jeff Offering No Mercy and No Apologies

Cheryl Flores, Bell-Jeff’s leader with 4.5 steals per game, says preventing opponents from scoring is her main obligation.

“Defense comes first,” she said.

But when asked if she felt bad for the four opponents her team defeated by an average margin of 46 points in the Bell-Jeff tournament last week, Flores changed her tune.

“No, it makes us feel good to play that good,” she said. “We want to win at least two games where we have 100 points.”

Backing out: Senior forward Francine Bennette of Alemany will be sidelined for at least two weeks because of a sprained back. Bennette is averaging 6.4 rebounds for the Indians (9-2).

Building blocks: In his first season as the Westlake High girls’ basketball coach, John Hattrup is looking for small measures in success as he installs a balanced, team-oriented attack.

Last week in a Thousand Oaks tournament consolation game, the Warriors took a step, albeit a small one. In a 37-35 victory over Lompoc, nine of the 10 players scored but none had more than six points.

“I was happy with the balance,” said Hattrup, who has coached successful teams at Mission Viejo and Brea Olinda. “Last year, they would throw the ball to [former center] Megan Carmola and see what happened. Now I just need them to each score about another five points a game.”

Road Warriors: Most of the local boys’ basketball teams making the trek to Las Vegas over the holidays played in the Reebok Holiday Classic, a tournament that attracts the top teams from around the nation and especially Southern California.

Not Westlake. The week following Christmas, the Warriors were the only local team in the 16-team Las Vegas tournament.

“I think the closest team to us was North Torrance,” said Westlake Coach Gary Grayson. “We wanted a chance to see teams we weren’t familiar with.”

Beating all comers: Birmingham was the host with the most during its holiday tournament.

The most as in the most teams and the most games.

El Camino Real was a late scratch, and Birmingham Coach Al Bennett made do by scheduling his own team in two brackets.

Day one: Birmingham defeats San Francisco Galileo and Reseda.

Day two: Birmingham defeats Monroe and Kennedy.

Day three: Birmingham blue defeats Birmingham yellow for the championship.

“Our own tournament, we were undefeated and untied, until we beat ourselves,” Bennett said. “It was good for our team to play that many games. The players were really enthusiastic about it. They went for it.”

For the record, Bennett added a victory--but not a loss--to his team’s overall record for the intrasquad final.

“The kids deserved it,” he said.

Security guard: Sean Atkins, a San Fernando High junior who started the last two seasons at point guard, will return to the lineup next week after having missed the first 12 games with a cracked kneecap suffered during football season.

“He’s our leader,” Coach Mick Cady said. “He has a type-A personality, a real take-charge attitude.”

Atkins’ brother Bryson, a sophomore, has filled in ably at the point, making a game-winning shot at the buzzer against Monroe. Cady said the return of Sean won’t relegate Bryson to the bench.

To the rescue: Verdugo Hills forward Charlie Coronado practiced for the first time Monday after missing the first month of the season with a leg injury, suffered during football season.

The Dons need help. Verdugo Hills has won just two games this season and resume Northern Conference play Friday.

“We need to find somebody who can step up,” said Coach Scott Kemple. “Maybe he can do it.”