Artesia Aims Even Higher

The so-called national titles are purely mythical, based on subjective opinion, with no definitive way to determine who’s No. 1.

But that doesn’t bother Lakewood Artesia Coach Scott Roczey, who has made it clear that his team’s goal this season is to win a national championship in girls’ basketball.

“It was my idea, but I knew [the players] would want that,” said Roczey, who upgraded his team’s schedule this season to attract as much attention as possible. “When you have the talent that we do, what good is it to be undefeated and not play anyone tough? We wanted to test ourselves and see how far we could push it.”

Artesia took that test last week at the Brea Olinda Ladycat Classic. In a semifinal, Artesia beat Brea, which won the mythical title in 1994, and in the final played Harbor City Narbonne, which has two consecutive national championships and is currently ranked No. 1 by three organizations, and No. 2 by another. Artesia was ranked as high as No. 3 before losing to Narbonne, 74-66, despite making up a 13-point deficit.

“It’s upsetting, but it will make us work harder,” said Lauren Ervin, a 6-foot-3 junior whose arrival last season with forward Brittany Thomas, both transfers from Torrance Bishop Montgomery, catapulted Artesia into the upper ranks of girls’ basketball.

“They gave us a big boost and made us greater faster than we expected,” Roczey said. “Now that we’re here, we want to keep it the same. Now Artesia’s on the map.”

Artesia has also been bolstered this season by another transfer, junior Brittney Imaku, from Cerritos Gahr.

Roczey, returning all five starters, put the notion of No. 1 in his team’s ear in the locker room at the Forum after last season’s loss to Hanford in the Southern California Division II regional.

“We know we have the talent, now we have to show everyone we mean business,” Roczey recalled telling his team. “And hopefully, they’ll recognize us for it.”

And who is “they?”

“The writers, the people who make the decisions,” said Roczey, in his eighth season. “You can have a great year, but if you’re not known, you’re not going to get the credit. I want Artesia to be known throughout the country.”

Artesia gets another shot at Narbonne Jan. 5 at Lynwood High.

Narbonne Coach James Anderson said trying to be No. 1 “is a good goal.

“But you can’t really play for it,” Anderson said. “It’s based on someone’s opinion. If you lose one game, that doesn’t mean you’re not a great team. If you do what you’re supposed to do, and the national championship comes along with it, that’s great. We play to win our last [state championship] game.

“It’s unrealistic for me to tell the kids we have to go 31-0.”

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A new sheriff: In the Buena tournament’s third-place game, Newhall Hart defeated Ventura Buena, 68-40. In that 28-point victory, freshman Ashlee Trebilcock scored 30 points as Hart defeated Buena for the first time since the 1990 section championship game.

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They kneed help: Two teams that went 2-2 at the Brea tournament are eagerly awaiting January. Redondo and Brea have been without key players because of torn anterior cruciate ligaments, but they should return next month.

Ofa Tulikihihifo, a senior guard at Redondo, may get cleared by the end of this week to begin practicing with the team. Coach Marcello Enriquez hopes she can be in the lineup by Jan. 15.

“We’re like a whole different team with her,” Enriquez said. “She’s good for 15 points, 10 rebounds, and we won’t have as many turnovers. We’ll have a go-to player.”

That’s similar to what Brea will have with the return of Katsuyama, who is a terrific defensive player and gives the Ladycats a legitimate point guard.

“Normally, we’re a well-oiled machine,” Coach Jeff Sink said. “Right now, we’re just a machine.”

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Tiger on the loose: Mary Mulligan, coach at San Clemente, went into her team’s game against Brea--long the standard of excellence in Orange County basketball--feeling like the predator instead of the prey “for the first time,” she said. “I definitely feel the tables have turned.”

The 51-45 victory by San Clemente, No. 4 in The Times’ rankings, evened the series at 2-2, with both victories coming within the last three years.

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THE TIMES’ RANKINGS

Rankings of the Southland’s top 25 girls’ basketball teams:

1. Narbonne (4-0, CS--Marine)

Won Brea tournament with 74-66 victory over Artesia.

2. Lynwood (1-0, SS--San Gabriel)

Should advance to the final of Norco tourney on Friday.

3. Artesia (3-1, SS--Suburban)

Played Narbonne close after wins over Bishop Montgomery and Brea.

4. San Clemente (4-1, SS--South Coast)

Have beaten three teams ranked 11th or higher.

5. Troy (5-0, SS--Freeway)

Amanda Livingston had 22 points, 15 rebounds vs. Long Beach Wilson in Troy tourney final.

6. Brea Olinda (2-2, SS--Orange)

Lost to No. 3 Artesia and No. 4 San Clemente on consecutive nights.

7. Long Beach Poly (4-0, SS--Moore)

Jackrabbits didn’t play last week, but football team won another title.

8. Ventura (7-0, SS--Channel)

Beat Hart, then Newbury Park to win Buena tourney title.

9. Hart (5-1, SS--Foothill)

After seven-point loss to Ventura, beat up Buena, 68-40.

10. Bishop Amat (5-0, SS--Del Rey)

Lancers claimed their own tourney championship.

11. Bishop Montgomery (6-2, SS--Del Rey)

Three victories in Brea tournament, including one over Redondo Union.

12. Redondo Union (2-2, SS--South Bay Athletic)

Tough week, with losses to San Clemente and Bishop Montgomery.

13. Esperanza (4-1, SS--Sunset)

Guard play key in University tourney, ending with win over Santa Margarita.

14. Woodbridge (4-0, SS--Sea View)

Warriors have Wednesday meeting with Santa Ana Valley.

15. Edison (4-1, SS--Sunset)

Freshman Rebecca Kepilino scored 16 points as Chargers beat Rosary, 56-42.

16. Mater Dei (5-0, SS--Serra)

Winner of Fountain Valley tournament gets tested Thursday vs. Edison.

17. Westchester (3-1, CS--Western)

Comets begin league play this week.

18. Newbury Park (5-1, SS--Marmonte)

Debuts in top 25 after blitzing Buena and falling short against Ventura.

19. El Dorado (5-0, SS--Empire)

Host of Gary Raya Co-Ed Classic should show up in Saturday title game.

20. Buena (2-2, SS--Channel)

Bulldogs got collared in 28-point loss to Newbury Park.

21. Pasadena Muir (3-0, SS--Pacific)

Tyesha Fluker scored 25 in 54-41 victory over St. Bernard.

22. Norco (3-1, SS--Mountain View)

After off week, hosting tournament beginning today against Murrieta Valley.

23. Chino Hills Ayala (3-1, SS--Sierra)

Opened week with loss to La Jolla Country Day, San Diego’s top team.

24. Rosary (2-1, SS--Serra)

Potential tournament championship game against El Dorado on Saturday.

25. Eisenhower (4-0, SS--Citrus Belt)

Has Riverside Poly and Bell Gardens this week.