PREPS

The Southern Section basketball playoffs began this week with four boys’ teams and five girls’ teams from the Glendale-area participating.

The Glendale boys’ team, which finished the regular season with a 13-11 record, received an at-large berth in the 1-AA Division and defeated Santa Monica, 56-54, on Tuesday. All other playoff games involving Glendale-area teams are Friday.

Crescenta Valley (19-4) plays at Arlington (17-7) in a 2-AA; La Canada plays host to Rancho Alamitos (13-12); St. Francis (15-9) plays host to Monrovia (11-13) in the 3-A; and Ribet Academy (18-5) plays host to California Lutheran (6-8) in the 5-A.

In girls’ games, Crescenta Valley (17-4) played host to Torrance (13-11) Wednesday in the 2-AA division; La Canada (17-8) plays host to San Dimas (16-8) Saturday in the 3-A; Flintridge Sacred Heart (20-4) plays host to St. Mary’s (12-7) Saturday in the 4-AA; Flintridge Prep (15-5) plays host to Faith Baptist (13-7) Saturday in 5-AA and Ribet Academy (9-10) is at Shandon (17-3) Saturday in 5-A.

The La Canada High boys’ soccer team concluded its Rio Hondo League schedule with a 3-1 loss to Temple City that ended La Canada’s league unbeaten streak at 45 games.

La Canada had broken the record of 42 games set by Esperanza High from 1983-86. The Spartans finished the regular season 16-3-1 and 9-1 in league. La Canada plays host to La Mirada in a first-round Division IV playoff game Friday.

In other playoff games involving Glendale-area teams, St. Francis plays host to San Marcos in Division II and Glendale plays host to Schurr in Division III.

In the girls’ Division II playoffs, La Canada plays host to Buena and Crescenta Valley travels to Long Beach Wilson.

Martin Hilke and Nada Kawar of Crescenta Valley, and Carlene Pengra, Sarah Dien and Jeff Sneed of La Canada will compete in the Sunkist Indoor track meet Saturday at the Sports Arena.

Hilke will compete in the boys’ high jump and Kawar in the girls’ shotput. Pengra and Dien will compete in the girls’ rated mile and Sneed will run in the boys’ rated mile.

St. Francis will compete as a team in the 4x440 relay.

COMMUNITY COLLEGES

The Glendale College men’s basketball team, a likely participant in the Southern California Regional of the state tournament, finishes its Western State Conference schedule Saturday against Los Angeles Valley.

The Vaqueros, under Coach Brian Beauchemin, entered the week 15-13 and 4-4 in the Western State Conference Southern Division. Glendale played Bakersfield on Wednesday.

“I think we’re in (the playoffs) for sure with 15 wins,” Beauchemin said Monday. “Two more wins would make us second in the division behind Santa Monica and that would help our seeding.”

Glendale lost to Santa Monica, 89-74, Saturday. Jimmy Evans scored 12 points for the Vaqueros, who were without guard Ryan Asplund, who has an ankle injury, and guard Setro Terzian, who injured his knee.

The 64-team field for the state tournament will be selected on Monday. First-round play will begin Feb. 27.

The Glendale women’s team lost to Santa Monica, 66-57, and moved into the final week of its season with a 10-15 record and 2-6 mark in WSC divisional play.

Suzi Woo scored 15 points for Glendale, which played Bakersfield on Wednesday and concludes its season Saturday against Valley.

Glendale, under third-year Coach Kathy Pudelko, entered the week one victory shy of matching last season’s win total.

The Glendale baseball team, under Coach Steve Coots, entered Tuesday’s Western State Conference opener against Pierce with momentum gained from winning the Kings River tournament last weekend.

Glendale (4-2) defeated Kings River once and Napa Valley twice to earn the title.

Lance Evans, Joby Lewis and John Horan hit home runs for Glendale in the 11-7 championship game victory over Napa Valley.

COLLEGES

The Occidental men’s basketball team has designs on its first Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference title since 1983.

The Tigers entered the week 15-6 and 8-2 in the SCIAC after victories over Whittier and Pomona-Pitzer, which extended their win streak to three games.

Occidental beat Whittier, 79-71, behind the play of center Blair Slattery, who scored 18 points and had 10 rebounds. Guard Hung Duong had 14 points, four assists and four steals for the Tigers.

Occidental overcame an 11-point first-half deficit to defeat Pomona, 62-60. Slattery scored 19 points, and senior forward Phil Engebretsen made two free throws with seven seconds left to secure the victory.

Occidental, which is tied for second place behind 9-1 Cal Lutheran, played host to 8-2 La Verne on Wednesday. La Verne defeated the Tigers in the first round, 78-76.

Occidental plays Caltech on Saturday, then concludes its SCIAC schedule with games Monday at Redlands and Thursday at Cal Lutheran.

The Occidental women’s basketball team plays a nonconference game Friday at UC San Diego after going 1-1 in SCIAC play last week.

Occidental (11-10, 5-4) defeated Pomona-Pitzer, 69-66. Tanisha White scored 18 points for the Tigers, Stephanie Francis scored 17 and Jennifer Kunz added 12.

Kunz scored 21 points during Occidental’s 67-64 loss to Claremont. Francis added 15 points.

The Tigers resume their SCIAC schedule Tuesday at La Verne.

PREP ATHLETE OF WEEK

Melissa Lord, La Canada--Lord scored 30 points during a 64-51 victory over Monrovia and 24 points during the Spartans’ 51-35 victory over Temple City on the Rio Hondo League finale.

Lord, The Times’ 1991-92 Glendale Player of the Year, led La Canada to its third consecutive league championship.

COLLEGE ATHLETE OF WEEK

Phil Engebretsen, Occidental-- Engebretsen, a senior from Alaska, made two free throws with seven seconds to play to give the Tigers a 62-60 victory over Pomona-Pitzer.

Engebretsen, who is averaging 10 points a game, scored nine points against Pomona-Pitzer. He scored 12 points and had eight rebounds during Occidental’s 79-71 SCIAC victory over Whittier.

MISCELLANY

A triathlon featuring a three-mile run, 10-mile bike ride and 400-meter swim is scheduled for Feb. 28 at 8 a.m. at the Rose Bowl Aquatic Center in Pasadena. The race is open to triathletes of all ages and experience levels. Information: (818) 585-2324.

HOW THE AREA’S TOP PREP BASKETBALL TEAMS FARED

Rank, Team, Record Entering Week and Synopsis

BOYS

1. Crescenta Valley: 19-4; Crescenta Valley lost its Pacific League finale to Muir, 71-56, and finished third behind Muir and Pasadena. The Falcons open play in the Southern Section 2-AA playoffs Friday against Arlington. 2. La Canada: 20-5; Tony Shen scored 23 points as La Canada finished Rio Hondo League play unbeaten with a 66-43 victory over Temple City. La Canada plays host to Rancho Alamitos High in a Southern Section 3-A playoff game Friday. 3. St. Francis: 15-9; David Craig scored 18 points as the Golden Knights concluded Del Rey League play with a 69-43 victory over Pius X. St. Francis plays host to Monrovia in a Southern Section 3-A playoff game Friday. 4. Glendale: 14-11; The Dynamiters lost their Pacific League finale against Pasadena, 68-62, and finished in fourth place. On Tuesday, the Dynamiters defeated Santa Monica, 56-54, in Division I-AA first round. 5. Franklin: 14-7; The Panthers were upset by Verdugo Hills, 54-53, but sit atop the Northern Conference. Franklin played Wilson Wednesday and will conclude its regular season Friday against Lincoln.

GIRLS

1. Crescenta Valley: 17-4; Sarah Hagman scored 26 points as the Falcons concluded the Pacific League schedule with a 63-36 victory over Muir. Crescenta Valley, the league champion, played Torrance in a Southern Section 2-AA playoff game Wednesday. 2. La Canada: 15-8; Melissa Lord scored 24 points as the Spartans put the finishing touches on a 9-1 Rio Hondo League season with a 51-35 victory over Temple City. The Spartans play San Dimas in a 3-A playoff game Saturday.3. Marshall: 17-5; The Barristers defeated Lincoln and Belmont to maintain their lead in the Northern Conference. Marshall concludes its regular season Friday against Verdugo Hills. 4. Flintridge Sacred Heart: 20-4; Liz Doud and Denise Gutierrez each scored 14 points as the Tologs finished 8-0 in the Sunshine League with a 70-34 victory over Marlborough. Flintridge Sacred Heart plays St. Mary’s in a 4-AA playoff game Saturday. 5. Flintridge Prep: 15-5; The Rebels will open play in the 5-AA playoffs Saturday against Faith Baptist.

Rankings according to Times Glendale sportswriters’ poll.