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Sunday, July 28, 1996

Summer league presents opportunity to maintain game, reunite old teammatesBy Grace Wen

Summer Bruin Senior Staff

Oenning drives the ball down the court. She dishes the ball to Pearson who dribbles, turns and fires a shot over her defender. Swish. Their teammates cheer as the players set up for defense.

Although Jamie Oenning and Melanie Pearson aren't household names, Bruin fans could be seeing a lot of the Oenning-to-Pearson combo during the upcoming UCLA women's basketball season. For now, the two can be seen at the "Say No Classic" women's summer league.

The league runs every Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at USC and features talent from all around the country.

There are current, former, and future Bruins participating in the league. Oenning, Tawana Grimes, Carla Houser, and Aisha Veasley make up the list of current UCLA players in the league. Former Bruins include Kellie Bennett, Althea Ford, Detra Lockhart, Ricarda Kuypers and Sandra VanEmbricqs. Pearson and Marie Philman, both incoming freshmen, also play in the league.

The 36 teams are broken down into three divisions. The Open Division, with 14 teams, is comprised of current and former college players along with a handful of college freshmen possessing the accolades necessary to compete in this division. The 18-team Rookie Division consists of college freshmen and high school players, while the Developmental Division features four teams made up solely of high school athletes.

Run by Rhonda Windham, a former Trojan basketball player, the five-year-old league gives college players a good opportunity to play competitive basketball and keep in shape during the summer months.

"It's good because it gives us a chance to compete against other college players and keep up our game ­ (in terms of) quickness and strength-wise," said Oenning. But she noted that the league was a far cry from regular season basketball, "where you have plays and coaches and some semblance to reality."

Games, however, are officiated by Pacific 10 officials who conduct their training camp during the summer. In addition, most teams do have practice at least once a week and everybody gets some playing time.

Being on the same team was nothing new for former high school teammates, Oenning and Pearson.

"It's going to be a reunion and I'm really excited. I'm looking forward to it," said Oenning. "Both personally playing with her and what she can do for our team."

PATRICK LAM/Daily Bruin

Melanie Pearson (#5)