BoysSteve SmithSchool: PolyYear: SeniorSport: FootballSeason at a...

Boys

Steve Smith

School: Poly

Year: Senior

Sport: Football

Season at a Glance: Since he became academically eligible two weeks ago, Smith has rushed for 474 yards and scored four touchdowns to help Poly (3-6,3-3) move into playoff contention in the Valley Pac-8 Conference. “He gives us big-play potential on offense every time he touches the ball,” Poly co-coach Lee Jackson said. The Parrots have won three straight games after not winning since 1994.

Week at a Glance: Smith, a tailback, rushed for 267 yards in 30 carries and scored two touchdowns in Poly’s 35-33 win over Monroe. He also stripped the ball away from Monroe’s Omar Stewart on the five-yard line with 47 seconds left to preserve the victory.

Girls

Michelle Ferrucci

School: Granada Hills

Year: Junior

Sport: Volleyball

Season at a Glance: Ferrucci has been a force wherever she plays for the Highlanders, the fifth seed in the City Section Division 4-A playoffs. Whether she is at outside hitter or middle blocker--the position she moves to for important matches--the 6-foot Ferrucci played a key part in helping the Highlanders win their first Northwest Valley Conference title.

Week at a Glance: Ferrucci had 21 kills, 15 blocks and 13 digs from the middle blocker spot during the Highlanders’ three-game sweep of 13th-seeded Bell in the first round of the playoffs. “They (the Eagles) kept trying to hit middle and thought they could get through her,” Granada Hills Coach Patti Leiblie said. “She was just having fun.”