
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, January 19, 1995                   TAG: 9501190079
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-5   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: CHRIS KING SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE: PULASKI                                LENGTH: Medium

COUGARS' ERIC WEBB BEARS EXPECTATIONS WELL

It has been said that expectation is the heaviest burden. If that is the case, Pulaski County's Eric Webb is the man you need to speak with. Webb, who stands 6-2 and weighs in at a very solid 230 pounds, is leading the Roanoke Valley District in scoring with 21.1 points per game in addition to a team high 7.9 rebounds. Yet people still talk about what he did two years ago on the basketball court or any of his numerous accomplishments on the football field.

As a sophomore he was named first team All-District and Region for his efforts on the hardwood and helped lead the Cougar football team to a state championship.

As a junior more of the same was expected, but Webb broke his jaw in two places in the state semifinal football game and was forced to miss the first half of basketball season. Despite averaging more than 20 points a game he never seemed to recover the dominance of his sophomore season. This season that is not the case.

"Everybody talks about my sophomore year," said Webb. "But I played well last year, but I only played half of the season. This year I think I can be better than I was before. I pass the ball better, and I am a much better team player."

A claim that Pulaski coach Pat Burns will not dispute after seeing his team finish finish below .500 last year in no small part because of the absence of Webb for an extended period.

"He led our team [statistically] in five categories as a sophomore, and may do the same thing again this year," said Burns. "He brings a lot to the table. "

Webb's versatility may be the most important aspect of his game because of the matchup problems he presents for opponents. He is too big to to be defended by a guard and too quick to be covered by a lumbering forward or center. According to Burns, Webb can play any position on the court.

So what is Webb's biggest problem on the court? Surprisingly enough it is the trash-talking of opponents.

"When you get a reputation people try to come after you," said Webb. "People talk trash and try to pick fights to take to take me out of my game. I can't let it affect me."

Fortunately for Cougar fans, challenges of Webb's manhood have not hurt the team or his game. As a result Pulaski has started the year 9-1 fueling hopes that there will be post-season basketball action in what has traditionally been pigskin country.

"This year we had time to get prepared," said Webb. "We had preseason scrimmages. I think we can go all the way if we stick together and work hard."

Performance of note:

Radford's D.J. Jones scored 38 points in two games last week. Jones' 20 points led the Bobcats to 61-58 victory over Three Rivers District rival Giles.

by CNB