CRIBBS EXPECTED TO FILL KEY ROLE AT LANCASTER.

Byline: SEAN CEGLINSKY Staff Writer

The first official day of basketball practice at Lancaster High was last Saturday and Joshua Cribbs was one the first Eagles in the gym and the last to leave.

It's been his home away from home for the better part of the last week.

With the departure of Robert Arnold and Javaughn Espiritt, Cribbs is expected to step into the leadership role this season, and the 5-foot-8 senior figures to be well-prepared for the additional responsibility considering he was the team's starting point guard last year.

``We will go as far as Joshua Cribbs will take us,'' Lancaster coach David Humphreys said. ``We're counting on him to run our offense and be coach out there on the court.

``He's made huge strides this summer and early in the fall. He's handling the ball better than ever and quicker on defense. He's shooting the ball better, too, and that's going to open things up for us offensively.''

Arnold and Espiritt graduated in June and are currently playing at Antelope Valley College. The tandem combined for 30 points and 14 rebounds per game a season ago and their inside presence will be sorely missed.

``I feel comfortable with becoming the leader,'' Cribbs said. ``It's time to step my game up.''

Cribbs wasn't much of a scoring threat as a junior, averaging 3.5 points per game with a high of 10 coming against Highland of Palmdale in the Golden League finale.

He did, however, average more than three assists and two steals per game for the Eagles and kept his turnovers to a minimum, a key factor for any point guard.

``He's made huge strides this summer and early in the fall,'' Humphreys said. ``He's handling the ball better than ever and shooting better, too. That's going to open things up for us.''

Cribbs won't be expected to replace the production put forth by Arnold and Espiritt. He will have to find ways to keep everyone involved, particularly Tielden McKissic, a junior and the only other returner from a season ago.

Javion Gardner, a sophomore, is expected to contribute as well.

If the Eagles are going to successfully defend their league title, and hold off the likes of Quartz Hill, Highland of Palmdale and Antelope Valley of Lancaster, Cribbs will be key.

``I feel comfortable with becoming the leader,'' he said. ``It's time to step my game up.

``Things are coming together right now for us. I feel pretty good about going into the season.''