Finding Potential Nuggets

A smorgasbord of notes, quotes and opinions from across the San Fernando Valley and surrounding communities:

There are a group of basketball players who could have a great influence next season because they are unknown quantities with immense potential.

Mike Gledhill, a 6-foot-6 senior from Taft High, is the perfect example. He was the City Section player of the year in volleyball last season. He hasn’t played basketball since he quit the sport after his freshman season.

In three weeks of practice in the 40-minute Taft basketball class, Gledhill has convinced coaches and teammates he’s ready to contribute in a big way.

“He works so hard and he’s so smart,” Coach Mark Drucker said.

Slowly, Gledhill’s basketball instincts are returning.

“There are some things in basketball you never forget,” Gledhill said.

Gledhill is most comfortable playing defense, rebounding, blocking shots and shooting medium range jump shots. He was warned by his volleyball teammates not to play basketball for fear of injury, and sure enough, on the second day of class, he pulled a groin muscle and considered not playing.

But Gledhill returned after the injury healed and is committed to finishing the basketball season.

“I’m getting the rust out,” Gledhill said. “It’s starting to come back. I’m starting to remember how fun the game is.”

Gledhill could provide an important boost for a Taft team that has lost six potential starters to transfers over the past two seasons. He’ll be counted on to join 6-8 Crespi transfer Gregg Guenther and 6-2 returnee Ronald Gray to keep the Toreadors competitive in the reshuffled West Valley League with Cleveland and Chatsworth.

Others to watch:

* Kenny Houser, North Hollywood. The 6-4 junior is another volleyball player making the transition to varsity basketball. He played junior varsity basketball last season. “He slashes, he can shoot threes, he can go around you, he can post up,” Coach Rob Bloom said.

* Robbie Neyland, La Canada. The 6-4 sophomore is only 14 and among the best three-point shooters Coach Tom Hofman has worked with. Improving his defense has been a top priority. “In the last two weeks, he’s really been looking strong,” Hofman said. “We’re pretty excited.”

* Dave Anderson, Thousand Oaks. The 5-10 sophomore point guard missed the first month of last season with an ankle injury. He’s among the school’s top athletes and starts as a defensive back for the football team. “He’s strong and has good sense on the court,” Coach Richard Endres said.

* Wayne Bennett, Canyon. The 5-9 sophomore guard returned to the region from Chicago and could land a starting role. “He can shoot, he can handle the ball,” Coach David Humphreys said.

* Kapresha Price, North Hollywood. The 5-6 sophomore guard rarely played on the Huskies’ girls’ varsity last season, but she has been averaging close to 19 points in summer and fall ball. Most impressively, she’s a terrific free-throw shooter and made her 10 free throws in one fall game.

Basketball practice begins Nov. 8 for the City Section and Nov. 13 for the Southern Section. . . .

It’s time to go on the record about freshman sensation Steve Smith of Taft: He’s the best nonvarsity football player I’ve seen since Russell White was tearing up freshman teams at Crespi in 1985. Smith, a receiver-free safety, has scored 15 touchdowns, including three touchdown catches last week against Granada Hills. He’s 6-2 and doesn’t turn 15 until May. The coaches at UCLA and USC would be wise to mark down Smith’s name.

“He’s the best guy I’ve seen in five years,” said freshman-sophomore Coach Larry Klevit of Granada Hills. “He’s incredible.”. . . .

Baseball Coach Mike Batesole of Cal State Northridge said he hopes to add lights to the school’s field next summer and would make it available for high school and Legion teams to play night games.

After three weeks of fall practice, Batesole said he’s particularly pleased with Northridge’s freshmen and sophomores.

“2001, we’re going to be back on the map,” Batesole said.

Jason Gorman, a sophomore from Palmdale High, has moved to third base and continues to impress with his hitting. Eric Horvat, a junior from Hart, is switching to second base. Freshman pitcher Kameron Loe from Granada Hills has performed well in several outings. . . .

Players from Grant’s baseball team are serving as parking ushers at the Rose Bowl during UCLA football games, so if you yell, “Go Grant,” you might get a better parking space. . . .

If Northridge starts playing football games at Pierce College, students take note: Beer sales won’t be permitted. State law bans alcohol at community colleges. The beer garden at Northridge games will disappear. . . .

Sophomore outfielder Cody Haerther of Chaminade has been hammering the ball in the fall league. . . .

Sophomore center fielder Steve Moss, a transfer from Brentwood, has impressed Coach Tom Dill of Notre Dame. “I haven’t seen many high school arms in the outfield better than his,” Dill said. . . .

Former Valencia basketball players Jerrohn Jordan and Eskias McDaniels have been reunited at Valley. . . .

Quarterback Michael Herrick, the sixth-grade son of Canyons women’s basketball Coach Greg Herrick, was selected all-tournament in the Babe Laufenberg Flag Football tournament at Crespi for junior high students. He’s the youngest player honored in the five-year history of the tournament.

Eric Sondheimer’s local column appears Wednesday and Sunday. He can be reached at (818) 772-3422 or eric.sondheimer@latimes.com