Iti Could Take Friars to New Heights

Servite’s Martin Iti, a Colorado native who played basketball in Florida last season, may finally have found a home with the Friars.

“I feel real comfortable,” Iti said after scoring 10 points and grabbing nine rebounds in a 72-64 season-opening victory over Irvine Monday. “It’s a good situation.”

It’s clear that Iti, a sophomore, has great potential. The 6-foot-10 center dominated the interior at times against the Vaqueros, slamming home uncontested dunks and skying above his opponents for rebounds.

But his youth also remains apparent. “Martin’s young,” said Brian Kenney, Servite’s first-year coach. “He got a technical foul at a key point in the game.”

Iti’s development will hinge, in part, on his teammates’ ability to get him the ball--something the Friars struggled with in the opener. Several lobs flew over his head and a few other passes were out of his reach.

“It will take awhile for us to get ready,” Iti said. “Hopefully, we’ll come together as a team.”

RETURNING TO THE FOLD

Five former county players made their varsity head coaching debuts this week in girls’ basketball.

Michelle Macintyre, who graduated from San Clemente in 1994, guided Trabuco Hills past Santa Ana, 68-26. Nicole Quinn (Woodbridge, 1993) led Santa Ana Valley over Savanna, 58-24. Kimberly Rahm (Whittier Christian, 1991) guided the Heralds to a 33-14 victory over El Monte Mountain View.

Debuts were a little tougher for the other two newcomers. Sarah Davis, who graduated from Tustin in 1994, saw her Tillers lose to El Modena, 46-20. Adara Newidouski (Ocean View, 1993) began her coaching career at her alma mater with a 71-26 loss to the county’s winningest active coach, Fountain Valley’s Carol Strausburg. The victory was Strausburg’s 355th in 23 seasons.

Defense played a huge role in the outcomes. In each case, the winning team didn’t allow as many as 10 points in any quarter.

WILDCATS OPEN ON THE ROAD

The third-ranked boys’ basketball team at Brea Olinda opens its season Saturday in the Comet Pride Classic, a tripleheader at Los Angeles Southwest College.

The Wildcats tip off against San Diego Horizon at 3:30 p.m. Host Westchester plays Inglewood at 5:30 followed by Los Angeles Verbum Dei against Gardena Serra.

Horizon returns four starters from a team that advanced to the state Southern Regional Division IV final last season.

“It should be a pretty good game for us,” said Brea’s second-year coach, Bob Terry. “I think we are a good shooting team, but there’s a lot more to the game than shooting. I hope we can play good defense too.”

MARRIAGE MADE IN HOOPS HEAVEN

Troy girls’ Coach Kevin Kiernan married his assistant coach, Christine Collins, in a small ceremony last Friday.

“The honeymoon will be Saturday in the south gym at Troy High,” Kiernan said before the nuptials took place. “Sunday, we take the team to watch UCLA play Tennessee. That will be the weekend.”

The newly bonded coaching staff capped their special weekend Monday with a 72-29 victory over Los Alamitos.

PAVLIK’S DEBUT DELAYED

The season debut of standout forward Lindsay Pavlik with the Mater Dei girls’ basketball team will be delayed at least for the remainder of this week’s Woodbridge tournament, according to Coach Ollie Martin.

Pavlik, who has committed to play volleyball at Northwestern, is recovering from an injury she sustained to the wrist on her shooting hand when the Monarchs were defeated by Newport Harbor in the state volleyball playoffs last Saturday.

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Staff writers Martin Henderson and Paul McLeod contributed to this story.