ALL-STAR BASKETBALL NOTEBOOK: WEBB EAGER FOR SHOWCASE.

Byline: Gerry Gittelson Staff Writer

Michael Webb has asserted himself as one of the region's most dependable scorers during his boys' basketball career at Lancaster High. But he feels as if he remains the area's best-kept secret.

Tucked away in the High Desert, Webb never has received much publicity. Frankly, he's not one of the marquee names in the annual Battle of the Valley all-star game Saturday at Cal State Northridge - boys start at 8 p.m., girls at 6 - so Webb is out to prove himself.

``This game is a good chance to show what I can do, showcase my skills and score,'' he said. ``Up in the Antelope Valley, I don't get much exposure and didn't get any college offers. So this is my chance to really do something.''

He already has convinced Southern Section coach Greg Hilliard of Harvard-Westlake of Studio City.

``We've had one practice and Michael Webb just really lit it up,'' Hilliard said. ``He filled it up from everywhere on the court. I had known a little bit about him from summer competition, but he's a lot better than I realized. He really stood out.''

--Here's to you, Mr. Robinson: Another player out to prove himself is Frank Robinson of the City all-stars. The Sylmar senior has had his troubles, playing for three high schools and making headlines for breaking the jaw of a former teammate during a fight. His transfer to Sylmar was controversial because previous transfers to Chatsworth and Littlerock resulted in Robinson being ruled ineligible.

So Robinson is happy to end his career on a positive note, believing the all-star experience will bolster his image.

``A lot of people have said a lot of things about me, especially the media, and sometimes stories get bigger and bigger down the line,'' Robinson said. ``I don't think I was ever treated unfairly. But I am sorry for getting in that fight and there's nothing I can do about it anymore. I suffered the consequences, but I think I'm going to feel OK in the long run. This all-star game is a great chance to prove myself.''

City all-stars coach Mike Wagner of Reseda High, one of the area's most outspoken opponents of Robinson's transfer, said Robinson has won him over, and he supports the player 100 percent.

``As a rival opposing coach, I went on record and added some fuel to the fire when Frank came to Sylmar,'' Wagner said. ``But for a 17-year-old, Frank Robinson handled himself very well. We had two great games against Sylmar, both losses, and he was the first one to greet us after the game. He's a great competitor who went through some tumultuous times and came through it. He's earned his spot in this all-star game and deserves to be here.''

--Girl power: Five of the girls' participants finished their careers as their school's all-time leading scorer: Teresa Cooper (Simi Valley), Cassandra Harris (Newbury Park), Sharonne Herbert (Quartz Hill), Grace Coronado (Burroughs of Burbank) and Liz Sun (Chatsworth). Sun was also her school's all-time leading rebounder.