HS HOOPS: Tiny school has Renaissance men

RENAISSANCE MEN

With only about 25 boys enrolled, Renaissance Academy is one of the Southern Section's smallest schools, but the Wildcats, riding a 17-game winning streak, play some big-time basketball.

If the Wildcats can defeat Pasadena Poly tonight in a Div. V-A quaterfinal, they'll qualify for a section semifinal for the fifth time over the last six years - a streak that includes three finals appearances and one state-final appearance.

"I didn't think it would happen this way this season because we're so inexperienced," said coach Sid Cooke, in his 11th year at the tiny La Canada-Flintridge private school. "But then I look back to my first year when we had nine kids try out for the team, and only two had ever played basketball before. It's a good time over here. The administrators are very supportive."