It could happen again, Darren Burge knows.

Foul trouble could leave the La Reina High girls' basketball coach with just four players on the court at the end of the game.

Just like it did twice before early this season.

Player defections and injuries left La Reina with just seven players in the closing weeks of the regular season.

Unlike past seasons when the team might have struggled, La Reina just got better.

Small by numbers, La Reina made one gigantic step forward.

Completing one of the biggest turnarounds in Southern California girls' basketball, La Reina (19-5) was the Frontier League co-champion and awarded the No. 4 seed for the Division V-AA playoffs.

La Reina's first league title in 11 seasons and first postseason appearance in 10 came one year after the program was 3-19.

So why the rapid and dramatic change in La Reina's fortunes?

"It's probably the function of several reasons," said Burge.

Having returning starters Liz Kotake, Jenna Burge and Lauren Carson provided La Reina leadership. Freshmen Julia Violano, Mary Jankowski and sophomore Rachel Zisman, a transfer from Texas, filled a huge void in the La Reina lineup: Inside players. Third, a move from the Tri-Valley to Frontier leagues gave La Reina a chance to play against programs on its competitive level.

Nothing was more important than having three post players who could score inside and rebound.

"Having actual post players instead of guards turned into post players made a huge difference," said Burge. "When our three guards realized that the post players could play, they started to believe."

La Reina won 13 of its last 15 games, including a season-ending 60-53 win over Villanova to gain a share of the league championship.

"There is now a reason to take cash at the gate," said Burge.

While La Reina has been long known for its successful girls' volleyball, softball and cross country programs, there was a time that the school's basketball program ranked as one of the best in the Tri-Valley League.

The 1982-83 La Reina team won the Division I-A section championship and lost to Anderson, 49, in the Division II state final.

"We have talked about the fact that La Reina has had good teams in the past," said Burge. "This team has a chance to get La Reina back on track in the basketball world."

New turf: The Agoura football stadium could have an all-weather field for the 2007 season.

School officials could learn as early as this week whether the Las Virgenes Unified School District will give the final OK on the stadium project, said Agoura athletic director Jason Rosenthal.

The stadium renovation would begin with replacing the grass field with FieldTurf. The project would begin early next month and be completed in time for the school's graduation ceremonies in June.

The second phase, likely starting in the summer of 2008, would include an all-weather track.

Oak Park has offered Agoura the use of its track for two home track meets this spring, said Rosenthal.

Efforts to refurbish Agoura's stadium have been ongoing for five years, said Rosenthal.

A bond issue to allocate funds for upgrading the school's fields was passed last year.

"The field is used by Pop Warner football and soccer programs throughout the year," said Rosenthal. "This will allow us to loan it without worrying about the upkeep."

Week for sharing: The last days of the regular season produced ties in five basketball leagues.

n Moorpark, Newbury Park and Royal finished in a three-way tie for first place in the Marmonte League girls' standings. Moorpark won a coin flip to be the league's No. 1 seed for the playoffs.

n Oxnard, La Reina and Malibu (Frontier boys) won rematches in their final regular-season games to earn shares of league titles.

Oxnard shares the Pacific View League boys' title with Camarillo. La Reina and Villanova are the Frontier League girls' co-champions. Malibu tied St. Bonaventure for the Frontier League boys' championship.

n Nordhoff and Oaks Christian are the Tri-Valley League girls' co-champions.

— Derry Eads' e-mail address is deads@VenturaCountyStar.com.