Westlake Guard Welch to Play for Pepperdine

Rick Welch, a 6-0 point guard for the Westlake High basketball team, has signed a national letter of intent to attend Pepperdine, the school announced Friday. Welch averaged 13 points and eight assists for Westlake, which was 20-8 and advanced to the final of the Southern Section 4-A Division playoffs.

Welch is one of three Westlake seniors expected to play in college. Paul Keenan, a 6-5 forward who averaged 16.5 points, has visited UC San Diego and said he might try to walk on at UC Santa Barbara.

David Heckmann, a 6-8 center, remains undecided.