Witt’s End Near in Basketball : Louisville High’s Two-Sport Star Dribbles Down to the Finish; She Plans to Concentrate on Playing Center Field at Fresno State

WOODLAND HILLS — Becky Witt, a four-year starter for the Louisville High basketball team, is one of the best players in the Mission League and one of the region’s best female athletes.

But not for one dribble did Witt ever consider landing a college basketball scholarship.

“I play because I love the game,” Witt said.

Just not as much as she loves softball.

Witt had her heart set from the start on earning a softball scholarship--and she did, signing last fall with Fresno State after only one season with the Louisville varsity.

For Witt, a 5-foot-5 guard-forward and center fielder, and an all-league selection as both, the notion of competing in two sports in college was plausible and even intriguing, but definitely out of the question.

“I felt I could be more dedicated if I only played one,” Witt said.

Witt is enjoying her final days flourishing as a two-sport athlete while leading Louisville in contention for a Mission League title. She is averaging 15.6 points and 6.4 rebounds for the Royals (11-4, 3-2 in league play).

Witt’s scoring talents and ability to out-rebound taller opponents have not gone unnoticed by coaches at Northern Arizona, Loyola Marymount and Cal State Northridge, all of whom recruited her in vain.

“During the summer league, I had Division I coaches coming up and asking, ‘Where’s Becky Witt?’ ” Louisville Coach Paula Getty-Shearer said. “I would say, ‘She’s traveling, playing softball.’ ”

All along, Witt said, she considered softball her ticket to higher education.

Witt played four years with the Southern California Stealth, a travel team, and her skills improved. She didn’t play at Louisville until last year, running track instead for two seasons.

Last season, Witt led the Mission League with a .459 batting average and was selected the league’s player of the year.

“She is just one of the most intelligent ball players,” said Dana Vasquez, Louisville’s softball coach. “And she is adored by the faculty here.”

Wooed by several Division I schools--including Washington, California and Oklahoma--Witt visited all three before opting for Fresno State.

“I didn’t really [concentrate] on basketball as much as I did with softball,” Witt said. “When I sent all my letters, I sent them to softball coaches. I realized there were more opportunities with softball. There are no height limitations for a center fielder.”

Coaches at Cal courted Witt with the offer of playing both sports.

“I just didn’t think it would work out,” she said. “They do overlap.”

Witt’s goals are to earn a degree and a spot on the 2000 U.S. Olympic softball team. She plans to pursue a career in physical therapy.

She’ll play basketball to stay in shape.

“In the park,” Witt said. “Just playing pickup on Saturdays.”