Ryan Forehan Kelly

In the end, it was flat-out impossible to ignore Ryan Forehan-Kelly. People at California did at first, though, when he showed up for basketball practice in the fall of 1998. The Santa Margarita High forward turned down scholarship offers from several Division I schools and walked on with the Golden Bears, whom he had admired since childhood. But Forehan-Kelly persevered, earned a scholarship and has become one of the best three-point shooters in Cal history, making 46% of his shots.

In the end, it was flat-out impossible to ignore Ryan Forehan-Kelly. People at California did at first, though, when he showed up for basketball practice in the fall of 1998. The Santa Margarita High forward turned down scholarship offers from several Division I schools and walked on with the Golden Bears, whom he had admired since childhood. But Forehan-Kelly persevered, earned a scholarship and has become one of the best three-point shooters in Cal history, making 46% of his shots.

It's hard to stand out on the county's top-ranked boys' basketball team. Santa Margarita's top eight players as interchangeable as "D" cell batteries in a boom box. Offense and defense are played with equal precision and dedication. But 6-foot-5 Ryan Forehan-Kelly is the Eagles' leading scorer (14 points per game) and arguably their best all-around player. He never demands the ball, preferring to score his points within the flow of the game.

It's hard to stand out on the county's top-ranked boys' basketball team. Santa Margarita's top eight players as interchangeable as "D" cell batteries in a boom box. Offense and defense are played with equal precision and dedication. But 6-foot-5 Ryan Forehan-Kelly is the Eagles' leading scorer (14 points per game) and arguably their best all-around player. He never demands the ball, preferring to score his points within the flow of the game.

Santa Margarita 68, Redondo Union 60--On the strength of 20 points by forward Ryan Forehan-Kelly and 15 by guard T.J. Williams, the Eagles advanced to the Division II championship game against Compton. Redondo Union eradicated a 39-24 halftime deficit by going on a 19-4 run to start the third quarter. Redondo guard Marcus Moore, who had 20 points, and guard Brian Morris (who had 12 before fouling out), led the charge with 14 of the 19 points.

Ryan Forehan-Kelly of Santa Margarita will attend California this fall and has been invited to try out for the basketball team as a walk-on, his mother, Lisa Forehan-Kelly, said. Forehan-Kelly averaged 12.2 points and 6.4 rebounds for Santa Margarita, which won the section Division II-AA and state Division II championships. He was a Times all-county second-team selection. * Gary Sabella, athletic director for 13 years at Trabuco Hills, is resigning. He will continue to coach.

* CALIFORNIA (1-2) at UC IRVINE (2-1), 7:30 p.m., KUCI-FM (88.9)--A rare sellout at the 5,000-seat Bren Center is anticipated for tonight's doubleheader, which begins with a 5:15 women's game between Pepperdine and Irvine. California has a six-game road losing streak after being humbled at St. Louis, 88-66. Against San Diego, Irvine couldn't score on three possessions in the last minute and fell, 63-60.

Texas 57, California 54--Maurice Evans scored 17 points as the Longhorns advanced to the semifinals of the Preseason National Invitation Tournament with a victory over the Golden Bears at Austin, Texas. The Longhorns (2-0) will play the winner of Friday night's Duke-Villanova game at New York. Ryan Forehan-Kelly led Cal (1-1) with 13 points.

Ryan Forehan-Kelly Santa Margarita, Senior; Basketball/Forward Forehan-Kelly led a balanced attack to help the Eagles earn their first trip to the state final with three victories last week in the Southern California regionals. Forehan-Kelly averaged 15 points, scoring a team-high 20 points in a regional semifinal victory over Redondo Beach Redondo Union, 68-60. Chad Chop/Baseball/Pitcher * Tustin, senior.

Brea Olinda 85, Hemet 76--Brea Olinda held off a late offensive charge by Hemet despite giving up 46 points to Moises Alvarez, who was 17 of 33 from the field. Chris McMillian scored 25 points and Kyle Dodd added 15 to lead Brea Olinda (23-4). The Wildcats will play San Marcos in the second round Tuesday. Inglewood 69, Tustin 61--Patrick Yapjoco scored 16 points and Kenny Crabb added 14 for visiting Tustin (20-8). Bradley Jackson scored a game-high 20 points for third-seeded Inglewood (20-5).

Santa Margarita (29-2) vs. Redondo Beach Redondo Union (23-2) 7:30 TONIGHT SANTA MARGARITA HIGH In this Southern California Division II semifinal, Santa Margarita's match-up zone defense will no doubt concentrate on senior guard Tyler Hoffman, who is averaging close to 20 points. Stauffer poses an inside threat, but with eight Santa Margarita players averaging between eight and 14 points, the Eagles look to have more depth.