CLOSE-UPS

GIRLS’ BASKETBALL

BRITTANY SPEARS

Jr., Pasadena

Then: She arrived as a freshman with a recognizable name but a pedestrian game. Quiet and afraid to step on anyone’s toes, Spears took a while to find her way around the varsity, but she was a starter by the time Pacific League play began. She doubled her scoring average as a sophomore, improving to 14.5 points, but admitted she “wasn’t mentally tough.”

Now: The 6-foot-1 forward worked on her jumper, and, combined with her signature turnaround baseline jumper, is averaging 24.5 points. More comfortable as a leader, she isn’t nearly so bothered when things aren’t going her way -- especially with officials. “She’s like a flower that bloomed all of a sudden,” Coach Ray Mayberry said. “We didn’t even know about her in elementary school. That’s how determined she is.” Spears is also averaging nine rebounds, four blocks and has a 3.0 grade-point average. The best is ahead for Pasadena (18-7), which began the week with 17 victories, its most since 1990.

Quote: “I’m not fazed by it at all, it’s just a name,” Spears said of the moniker she shares with the famous pop star. “I really don’t pay attention to her music.”

-- Martin Henderson

BOYS’ SOCCER

CHRIS DERVIN

Jr., Westlake Village Westlake

Then: A soccer player since the age of 4, Dervin played left fullback and helped the Warriors record shutouts in six of their last eight games last season. He did not score any goals but had five assists and was an All-Marmonte League first-team selection, helping the Warriors tie Calabasas for third place behind Thousand Oaks and Simi Valley Royal. Westlake lost to La Canada St. Francis, 5-3, in the second round of the Southern Section Division II playoffs.

Now: Dervin, at 5-6 and 135 pounds, has moved from left fullback to center fullback in the Warriors’ zone defense that includes two outside backs, two center backs and no sweeper. Not as involved in the offense as he was last season, Dervin has only two assists but lends speed, impeccable timing and leadership to a Westlake defense that has been nearly impenetrable. “He knows what’s going on and when to step up,” Coach Bill Propster said. The Warriors (15-2-3, 8-0-2) have 14 shutouts and given up only seven goals. Junior goalkeeper J.T. Valine has a 0.39 goals-against average and has not been tested often thanks to Dervin and fellow defenders Ryan Osinski, Spencer Harter, Brian Jones and Joel Hernandez.

Quote: “We can’t lose if our defense doesn’t give up a goal,” Dervin said. “That’s kind of our motto.”

-- Lauren Peterson