SIDELINES : Alemany’s Rigley Stands Out--in Future Coach’s Circles

Mark Trakh, women’s basketball coach at Pepperdine, already has made good on a promise to Samantha Rigley, a recruit from Alemany High.

“He told me I was going to be a celebrity,” said Rigley, a senior who was The Times’ Valley player of the year last season.

Rigley got her 15 minutes of fame Saturday night during introductions before Alemany’s game at Brea Olinda. The crowd reacted when it was pointed out that Rigley, a forward, , will play for Trakh, who guided Brea Olinda to four state titles and is something of a legend at the Orange County school.

“Wow, she must be a great player,” one Brea Olinda fan said.

Rigley didn’t disappoint, scoring a game-high 21 points in Alemany’s 61-46 loss.

Alemany will visit Notre Dame at 7 p.m. Thursday in a showdown for the Mission League title.

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Joy ride: Evan Howland got off easy.

The Cal State Northridge pitcher had his Jeep stolen last month. It was found in North Hollywood over the weekend with nary a scratch, except for a mangled ignition system. Nothing was missing, including the uniform Howland left in the back seat.

“He was more worried about the uniform than he was about the Jeep,” Howland’s father, Brian, said.

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Giving thanks: A banquet was held at Anaheim Stadium last month to honor George Genovese, well known among Southern California baseball scouts. Genovese, 72, of North Hollywood, was released Dec. 31 after 34 years with the San Francisco Giants. He signed 43 players who reached the major leagues.

Approximately 200 friends attended. Angel broadcaster Ken Brett was master of ceremonies. Giant General Manager Bob Quinn and Phillie catcher Mike Lieberthal gave speeches. Among the players in attendance was DeWayne Buice.

Buice was released after a stint in the minors, but Genovese convinced him he had the requisite talent. Genovese helped Buice get signed by another club. Buice hung in there and eventually pitched in the big leagues for the Angels and Toronto Blue Jays.

Buice, now a businessman, bought Genovese a new Mercury sedan.

“I was completely speechless,” Genovese said. “The whole thing was overwhelming.”

It got better. The following week, he was hired as a part-time scout by the Dodgers.

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To the wire: Whoever made the Marmonte League boys’ basketball schedule must have had a crystal ball. As teams enter the final two games of the season, here’s the situation:

Agoura (10-2 in league play) is in first, with Westlake and Royal (each 9-3) tied for second and Simi Valley (8-4) in fourth.

Westlake will visit Agoura and Royal will play Simi Valley at Moorpark College tonight. On Friday night, Simi Valley will visit Westlake and Agoura will play at Royal.

A four-way tie is possible.

“At the end of this week, we could be in first or we could be in the fourth,” Royal Coach Larry Wiksell said. “That’s pretty scary but it’s a reality.”

Quotebook

Westlake receiver Billy Miller, on the day he signed with USC, telling a group of reporters about his seventh-grade brother Tyrone, who is already 5 feet 11, 230 pounds: “You guys will be back here for him.”

Steve Wolf, Rio Mesa boys’ basketball coach of 11 years, describing his team: “It’s probably the best group I’ve ever had as far as personality. They are great guys.”

Great personality, huh?

That’s another way of saying the Spartans are 3-17.

Stats

LaShonda Holland, a 6-foot-4 junior who plays for the Reseda High girls’ basketball team, had 66 points and 32 rebounds in two games last week. Her 36 points and 18 rebounds against Canoga Park helped the Regents to their first victory in 11 games.

“You’d think we won the City (Section) championship the way everyone reacted,” Coach Bob Wallace said.

Holland, averaging 16 points a game, had 30 points and 14 rebounds earlier in the week against Grant.

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Dazzling debut: Cal State Northridge right-hander Rob Crabtree, a transfer from Cypress College, made quite a splash by striking out 23 batters and walking one in victories over USC and Loyola Marymount.

It isn’t even the best pitching debut in recent memory, though. In victories over USC and San Jose State in 1992, right-hander Kevin Kloek walked one and fanned 28. Kloek now pitches in the Milwaukee Brewer organization.

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Marksman: Mike Penberthy, point guard for The Master’s College, is leading the NAIA Far West Region Independents in free-throw percentage at 92.3. Penberthy is 72 of 78 from the line.

Things to Do

City Section high school wrestling began in 1974, but not until this season will the City crown a dual-meet champion.

The inaugural City dual-meet finals will take place Thursday at San Fernando High with Valley League champion Canoga Park and Central League champion Bell the favorites. El Camino Real and Chatsworth also will represent the Valley League. Granada Hills and Monroe will represent the Central League.

Competition is scheduled to begin at 3:30 and the finals are scheduled for 7:30. Admission is $3 for adults, $1 for children 12 and younger.

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For the title: The Taft High girls’ basketball team will play at Kennedy today at 4 in a game to decide the Northwest Valley Conference championship.

* Compiled by Rob Fernas. Contributing: Dave Desmond, Steve Elling, Jeff Fletcher, Vince Kowalick and John Ortega.