With or without Hankins Bros., Van Nuys basketball will plug along

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Van Nuys Coach Charles White, of course, is disappointed with CIty Commisioner Barbara Fiege’s decision to uphold the ineligibility of basketball playing brothers Mat and Willie Hankins. He said an appeal will be filed.

But whether the Hankins play for Van Nuys (1-2) will not define the kind of season the Wolves will have, White said. Nor will the two early lopsided defeats Van Nuys has sustained so far in the Westchester Tip-Off Classic tournament -- 85-29 to Dominguez (2-0) on Tuesday, and 79-60 to Jordan (2-4) tonight.

‘We’ve played one of the top teams in the nation in Dominguez, and they were a little above the level of play our kids are used to playing,’ White said. ‘They had a chance to beat Jordan. But we’re here to get experience and get ready for league.

‘I’m a firm believer there are three seasons -- tournaments, league and playoffs. We’re shooting for the third season. Everything we’re doing now is to prepare us for that third season.’

-- Mike Terry