Harvard-Westlake’s Tiana Woolridge excels in two sports and the classroom

Advanced Placement physics B is considered by some to be the hardest class at North Hollywood Harvard-Westlake High.

So what in the name of common sense is Tiana Woolridge, a volleyball and basketball player, doing in the class?

“There are budding rocket scientists in there, and I might be one,” Woolridge said.

Well, if not a rocket scientist, the 6-foot-2 Woolridge might settle for neurologist. She has a 4.1 grade-point average, starts for the nationally ranked girls’ volleyball team and is a member of the state championship girls’ basketball team.

And did I mention she still has to compete for attention in a family of achievers? Older brother Zach was a standout Harvard-Westlake basketball player who went to Princeton and got an engineering degree. Another brother, Renaldo, is a basketball player at Tennessee and aspiring rap artist. And their father is former NBA player Orlando Woolridge.

All have been reared by their mother, Pat, who keeps in touch by embracing the favorite communication skill of teenagers in 2010 — text messaging.

What’s interesting about Woolridge is that she has earned a spot in the starting lineup in volleyball despite not playing club volleyball. Virtually everyone else on the team plays at the club level.

“It was hard coming in,” she said. “I hadn’t touched a volleyball in months. I knew these girls were so far ahead of me skills-wise.”

By the middle of September, Woolridge used her improving blocking skills to become a starter.

“I guess the coaches saw something in me and really worked with me over the next few weeks,” she said.

Woolridge said a concussion suffered during basketball season caused her to become fascinated with how the brain functions, and studying the brain for the rest of her life could be in the cards. That’s why learning about how friction and movement and projectiles in physics class is important.

If she ever needs help, she can always ask Zach, who got an A in physics B, or Renaldo, who knows something about physics when he tries to dunk.

Missing from action

Los Alamitos has lost its last two football games, and the Griffins have a big excuse. They have been without standout running back Nick Richardson, who injured his big toe in a game against West Adams.

If Los Alamitos can get Richardson back for Sunset League play, then the Griffins can challenge for a league title. Without him, Newport Harbor and Huntington Beach Edison become the favorites.

Sneaking up

West Hills Chaminade (4-0) is quietly getting better in football on a weekly basis. The Eagles came up with their most impressive victory last week, knocking off Manhattan Beach Mira Costa, 29-10.

If the Eagles are to be considered a challenger to Gardena Serra in the Mission League, they should find out this week against Sherman Oaks Notre Dame. The Knights (1-4) have struggled at times, but in recent seasons they have rarely lost to Chaminade.

Of course, this is a new era at Chaminade under Coach Ed Croson.

Mr. Timeout

Anaheim Servite football Coach Troy Thomas called three consecutive timeouts in the third quarter after his team was called for a personal foul in a 28-7 victory over Temecula Chaparral.

“I felt like everybody needed to calm down,” Thomas said. “We needed to take a deep breath and relax.”

No. 350

Santa Fe Springs St. Paul football Coach Marijon Ancich got his 350th victory last week against Chino Hills Ayala.

eric.sondheimer@latimes.com