ANTELOPE VALLEY COLLEGE NOTEBOOK: ADJUSTING TO LIFE AS COLLEGE ATHLETE AVC'S WEBB BALANCES HOOPS, BOOKS.

Byline: Sean Ceglinsky Staff Writer

For most freshman college athletes, college life tends to be difficult at first, both academically and athletically.

Mike Webb is your typical 18-year-old hoping to prove himself in the classroom and on the basketball court at Antelope Valley College.

``It's been a challenge,'' said Webb, referring to his experiences in practicing with AVC this month.

The challenges don't figure to let up anytime soon for Webb and his teammates, who play this weekend in the Diablo Valley Shootout in San Francisco.

More than 30 of the top teams from across the nation will compete in the tournament. AVC is no stranger to the level of competition, considering the Marauders are making their fourth consecutive trip to the Bay Area.

``We're going to be playing against some tough and well-respected teams,'' AVC coach Newton Chelette said. ``We're ready, though.''

Perhaps no single player is more ready than Webb, who's eagerly awaiting his first real opportunity to show his abilities.

``It's going to be good trip. We'll jell as a team,'' said Webb, a prolific scorer for Lancaster High a year ago.

His role at AVC will be different. The 6-foot Webb is making the transition from shooting guard to point guard. To his credit, Webb has been an attentive understudy to Elvis Rivera, AVC's point guard last season. In doing so, he's gaining a better understanding of what is expected of him this season.

``It's all about a decision-making process. When we don't have a fast break, I have to pull (the ball) out and execute our offense,'' Webb said. ``It was rough at first, but now it's becoming more natural and I'm cool with it.

``We've raised the intensity (during practices), so (the team) has been getting some good workouts. Everyone is fighting for playing time. We're hustling, working hard on offense and defense and leaving it all out on the floor.''

AVC needs to show such a work ethic this weekend to be successful, Chelette said. More important, the little things the team is working on now will better prepare it for the coming season in November.

``It's early, but I'm very happy with what we have here,'' said Chelette, referring to the eight players returning from last season's playoff team and his best class of incoming freshmen in years - which includes Webb, Jonathan Holland, Brandon Murray, Brian Waugh and Ollie Bradley.

``We're staying busy this summer, working on the fundamentals. I'm looking for quickness and intensity. We're working on things that will help us get to the next level.''

Optimism is at an all-time high for Chelette, but he's not the only one with lofty goals.

``I have high expectations for this season,'' Webb said. ``I'm expecting to go deep into the playoffs and have a good all-around season. We're ready and we know what to expect. We just have to go out and play our game.''

Chelette agreed.

``The pool of talent we have is deep and we have more weapons than in years past. That will make my job easier,'' said Chelette, entering his 14th season with the program. ``There's no doubt about it, the competition has been very good around here lately.''

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Sidney Melvin, an All-Foothill Conference selection as a freshman, is expected to lead AVC in the Diablo Valley Shootout this weekend. The Marauders are making their fourth consecutive appearance in the San Francisco Bay-area tournament.