It’s No-Show Time at Canoga Park but Laker Girls Step In

Cedric Ceballos has received some extra unwanted publicity during his recent unexcused absence from the Los Angeles Lakers.

Ceballos had been scheduled to appear Friday in a special assembly at Canoga Park High.

Ironically, the program was to honor those students with 95% or better school attendance. The Laker forward was a no-show, however, and the irony was not lost on local broadcast outlets that jumped on the story.

Broadcasters didn’t mention, however, that Canoga Park administrators had been notified two weeks earlier that the former Ventura College star would not be attending the assembly, citing a previously scheduled team meeting as a conflict.

Canoga Park basketball Coach Ralph Turner and assistant principal Denny Thompson were aware the Lakers were playing in Seattle on Thursday night and expected the cancellation.

“I’m kind of glad he didn’t show,” Thompson said. “Kids need role models today, and we don’t want some guy who’s going to walk away from a commitment.”

Thompson and Turner added that Ceballos wasn’t missed, at least by the boys at Canoga Park, because of the presence of some other members of the Lakers’ organization: the Laker Girls.

Georgia on her mind: Nada Kawar of UCLA is not considered a threat to make the U.S. Olympic team in the shotput or discus this year, but the former Crescenta Valley High star still could compete in Atlanta as a member of Jordan’s national team.

Kawar, who has personal bests of 55 feet 1/2 inch in the shotput and 179-1 in the discus, was born in Jordan and has dual citizenship in that country and the U.S.

Jordanian Olympic officials have told Kawar that if she improves her bests to 57 feet in the shotput and 185 feet in the discus, she can represent the country in those events in the Olympics.

UCLA assistant Art Venegas figures that Kawar will throw far enough to make the Jordanian team this year.

And in four years time, he expects her to be one of the best throwers in the United States.

Still, he’s not sure if he wants her to compete in the U.S. Olympic trials in 2000.

“I’d encourage her to compete for Jordan,” Venegas said. “That way, she’d only have to worry about peaking for the Games. She wouldn’t have to worry about peaking for the trials and then the Games.”

Casting call: If you’re still waiting for your 15 minutes of fame, the Lancaster JetHawks might be providing a chance.

The JetHawks will hold an audition at Lancaster Municipal Stadium on Saturday at 9 a.m. for a public-address announcer, mascot and singers for the national anthem.

A copy of the script for announcer candidates will be available at 2 p.m. Thursday.

Home sweet home: In 14 seasons as Pepperdine men’s volleyball coach, Marv Dunphy has a 117-43 record at Firestone Fieldhouse.

Stats

Cal State Northridge is ranked fifth by Collegiate Baseball after its three-game Western Athletic Conference sweep of Cal State Sacramento over the weekend. Northridge (28-6, 11-2) holds a three-game lead over San Diego State and Fresno State and has equaled its overall victory total of last season.

Despite losing to USC, 20-0, last week, Cal Lutheran (18-5-1) is ranked No. 2 in Division III and had more first-place votes (four) than any other team. Methodist College (N.C.) is ranked No. 1.

With a 28-7 record this season, Bill Oates, The Master’s College men’s basketball coach, has a three-year record of 87-17 at the school. Oates has a career record of 685-269.

UCLA sophomore middle blocker Tom Stillwell, a graduate of Notre Dame High, leads the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation with 77 blocks. The Bruins are ranked No. 2 in the nation.

Honors

Cal State Northridge’s Scia Maumausolo was named Western Athletic Conference player of the week in softball for her performances in seven games last week. Maumausolo, a senior catcher-outfielder, was nine for 16 with three home runs, five runs batted in and five walks.

Northridge shortstop Adam Kennedy was named WAC player of the week in baseball for the second time this season. Kennedy, a sophomore leadoff hitter, was 12 for 20 with 13 runs, six RBIs, three doubles and two home runs in four games. Kennedy tied a school record with five hits in an 18-6 victory over Cal State Sacramento on Saturday. He is batting .433 overall and .509 in WAC games.

Fresno State right-hander Jeff Weaver, from Simi Valley High, was named WAC pitcher of the week after winning two decisions and striking out 13 in 11 innings. Weaver, a redshirt freshman, is 6-3 with a 2.45 earned-run average.

Ruben Oronoz was named Northridge’s most valuable player at the basketball team’s awards banquet Monday night. Oronoz, a senior forward from La Mirada, averaged 10 points and 5.6 rebounds.

Things to Do

The Cal State Northridge football team will conclude its spring practice with a scrimmage at 7 p.m. Thursday at North Campus Stadium. Admission is free and there will be free hot dogs and soft drinks and $1 cups of beer.

Contributing: Darin Esper, Jeff Fletcher, Irene Garcia, Steve Henson, Paige A. Leech, John Ortega.