Northridge Women Add Trio of Basketball Players

Keisha Harris, an all-state center from Cerritos College, has signed a letter of intent with the Cal State Northridge women’s basketball team.

The 6-foot-3 Harris, who averaged 13.4 points and 10.4 rebounds last season, picked the Matadors over USC, Washington State and San Diego State. She has two seasons of eligibility remaining.

Northridge Coach Michael Abraham has also signed LeAnne Bennett, a 6-foot forward from Ribet Academy who scored 71 points in a game last season, and Lynda Amari, a 6-1 swing player who helped Ventura College win two consecutive Western State Conference titles.

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Armentano leaves: Northridge women’s assistant Jeanette Armentano has resigned to become the top assistant at Maryland.

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Adams chosen: Greg Adams, a student assistant with Cal State Northridge last season, has been selected girls’ basketball coach at Saugus High.

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Smith hired: Dennis Smith has been selected boys’ basketball coach at Antelope Valley High.

Smith replaces Tom Mahan, who resigned in March. Smith had coached at Cuyama Valley High.

SOFTBALL

Coaching change: Lancaster High has not renewed the contracts of softball Coach Orbin Love and his staff, Athletic Director Reid Wagner said Thursday.

Love will remain at the school as a walk-on girls’ basketball coach and trainer.

BASEBALL

Television men: Loyola Marymount pitcher Mike Schultz (Cleveland High) and Nevada Las Vegas catcher Ryan Hamill (Chaminade) will be the featured guests on Time Warner Communication’s Valley Sports 2 TV show Saturday at 7:30 a.m. on ESPN2.

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Branch hired: Antelope Valley High has hired Ryan Branch as baseball coach. Branch, a former Antelope player, served as an assistant this year.

Branch replaces Ed T’Sas, who recently resigned after guiding Antelope Valley to three Golden League championships in eight years.

CYCLING

Pedal power: The Encino Velodrome will host its fourth night of racing Saturday at 7 p.m. There will be races for five categories from elite riders to junior racers. A total of 15 races are planned.

Admission is free. The velodrome is located at 17301 Oxnard Street in Encino.

SURFING

Hang 10: More than 350 surfers and bodyboarders, including several from Ventura County, will participate today through Sunday in the National Scholastic Surfing Association Western Regional Championships at the south side of the Huntington Beach Pier.

Dylan Slater of Ventura (Open Juniors) and Nicole Falco of Westlake Village (Explorer Women’s) are among the NSSA Southwest Conference champions expected to compete. Geoff Brack of Ventura (Boys), Dane Reynolds of Ventura (Menehuene) and Mindy DeArmond of Oxnard (Women’s) are among the NSSA Gold Coast champions scheduled to participate.

GOLF

Costley move: Dave Costley, the Westlake High boys’ golf coach since 1993, has been chosen the coach of the Warriors’ girls’ team.