Matador Men, Women Go Courting

The Northridge men’s and women’s basketball teams begin practice this weekend, with hopes of improving over last season when the men qualified for the conference tournament and the women advanced to the NCAA tournament after winning the Big Sky Conference title.

Coach Bobby Braswell guided the men to a 17-12 record, finishing 9-7 and tied for third in conference. The Matadors lost to Montana State, 91-90, in a first-round Big Sky tournament game.

The men open play in exhibitions Nov. 6 and 13 at home before beginning the regular season at USC on Nov. 19. The Matadors’ home opener is Nov. 27 against Cal State Dominguez Hills.

Coach Frozena Jerro, who took over a program rocked by the arrest of former coach Michael Abraham, led the women to a 21-8 record, 13-3 in Big Sky play.

The women won the Big Sky tournament and lost to Colorado State, 71-59, in the first round of the NCAA tournament.

FOOTBALL

* Running back Pheon Bright of Ventura College and wide receiver Shayne Sobel of Moorpark were selected offensive players of the week in the Western State Conference.

Defensive back Dalton Coote of Ventura was chosen defensive co-player of the week.

FYI

* General Manager Kevin Malone and former manager Tommy Lasorda of the Dodgers will be the guest speakers at Santa Clarita Christian High’s annual sports auction, scheduled for 6 p.m. Oct. 30 at Santa Clarita Christian.

Items to be included in a live auction are autographed jerseys from Eric Karros, Kevin Brown, Gary Sheffield, Jeff Shaw and Chan Ho Park. There will be autographed bats of Sammy Sosa of the Chicago Cubs and outfielder Raul Mondesi of the Dodgers, and balls autographed by former Dodgers Orel Hershiser, Hideo Nomo and Mike Piazza.

Tickets are $50, which includes dinner. Proceeds go toward Santa Clarita Christian School programs and scholarship funding.

Information: Kelly Kolouch or Derrick Swales, (661) 252-7371.

* A free golf clinic by the Pacoima Junior Golf Assn. is scheduled for noon on Oct. 23 at Hansen Dam Golf Course.

There is a $10 fee for a luncheon, and a $5 cost to enter an optional putting tournament.

Information: (818) 837-1212.