For three years, Tom Craft performed magic at Mt. San Antonio College.

Taft High of Woodland Hills has had such an easy time against West Valley League competition through the years that coach Derrick Taylor thought it was a good idea to face some challenging nonleague opponents in the final stretch before the City Section playoffs.

UCLA is making a woefully low percentage of its foul shots, a situation Coach Ben Howland aims to improve.

UCLA freshman forward Tyler Honeycutt was one free throw from being done in practice Monday.

Former Indianapolis and New Orleans coach says he remembers letting the quarterback, then in high school or college, run plays during casual workouts and how well he did.

The first time Peyton Manning hunkered into an NFL huddle, called an NFL play, scanned the field and fired a pass to an NFL receiver, it didn’t come as the No. 1 overall pick of the Indianapolis Colts.

The forward says he’s been suffering from plantar fasciitis in both feet, and Phil Jackson believes the cause may lie in his shoes, which the coach likens to ‘concrete boots.’

Is it the shoes?

The Trojans have rarely made a dent in crowded L.A. sports market, and it won’t happen this season because of self-imposed sanctions. But their first-year coach is thinking long-term.

Kevin O’Neill has either the best sports job in America or the worst. He coaches USC men’s basketball.

The Bruins held Washington to eight-for-27 shooting in the second half of a 62-61 victory Thursday night, and their defense will be tested again today against Washington State.

UCLA seems to be getting the hang of this zone defense thing, noticeably absent during Coach Ben Howland’s first four seasons in Westwood.

The Trojans have rarely made a dent in crowded L.A. sports market, and it won’t happen this year because of self-imposed sanctions. But their first-year coach is thinking long term.

Kevin O’Neill has either the best sports job in America or the worst. He coaches USC men’s basketball.

As the defending Bay League champions, West Torrance boys wrestling coach Brian Notch understands that no team will approach the Warriors lightly. West is the target of most schools – likely the team most-circled on opponents’ calendars among Bay League teams – so it approaches each opponent with the same focus and discipline.

Athletic Director Dan Guerrero recognizes why the Bruins are having a tough season despite their solid coach, whom he praises.

Don’t let his teddy-bear demeanor fool you.