AVC NOTEBOOK: WEBB HAS ROUNDED INTO PLAYOFF FORM.

Byline: Sean Ceglinsky Staff Writer

Antelope Valley College coach Newton Chelette made himself very clear when he yelled, ``Mike, take over,'' during Saturday's 83-71 victory over visiting Pasadena in the first round of the Southern California Regional men's basketball playoffs.

Mike Webb knew right then what to do - be more assertive on the offensive end of the floor. The thing was, the freshman point guard had been doing that throughout, enabling the third-seeded Marauders (29-6) to advance to the second round Wednesday against 19th-seeded Santa Monica (19-13). Tipoff is 7 p.m. at Marauder Gym.

In the first half against Pasadena, the 6-foot-1 Webb had four assists and scored eight points, none bigger than his 3-pointer as time expired. His efforts were equally impressive in the second half, in which he scored 15 of his game-high 23 points.

``Like the pros say, `The basket looked as big as an ocean,' '' Webb said. ``You feel like you can't miss. I was in the zone.''

His ability to score isn't surprising considering he averaged a team-best 15 points per game during Foothill Conference play. But his real value to the team continues to be his court recognition and ballhandling skills that allow him to average three assists and three rebounds per game.

``His versatility is unbelievable,'' Chelette said. ``He's hit some big shots for us, off screens, on the perimeter, taking it to the basket. He knows when I want him to shoot the ball and he's one of the few point guards I've had here that I have that complete confidence in. He's got the ability.''

--Turn for the better: After missing five games with a sprained ankle, Brandon Murray returned to the lineup, making an appearance in the second half Saturday. The freshman played well in a limited role, making his only field goal attempt and adding four rebounds.

Before injuring his ankle, the 6-9 center had been providing AVC with a much-needed presence in the paint, averaging a team-best seven rebounds to go with 7.6 points.

His return gives AVC an opportunity to go with a formidable front line that also includes 6-9, 295-pound Jonathan Holland.

--Making statements: With a 29-point victory over El Camino last weekend, the women's basketball team advanced to the second round of the Southern California Regional playoffs for the first time in 11 years.

The ninth-seeded Marauders (25-9), who have won 17 consecutive games, play Wednesday at eighth-seeded Mount San Antonio, a team it beat 59-54 Dec. 13 in the Moorpark tournament. The Marauders figure to be challenged considering they've never won a second-round game or a postseason game on the road in the program's 21-year history.

--Play ball: The softball team opened defense of its Foothill Conference title with a 9-1 victory over visiting Cerro Coso last weekend in a game that was called because of the eight-run rule.

AVC (4-13, 1-0) resumes conference play Wednesday against host Mt. San Jacinto at 3:15 p.m. and then plays in the Huntington Beach tournament Friday through Sunday.