Shawn Goater and Kyle Lightbourne aren't the only Bermudian soccer professionals grabbing the headlines these days.

Their exploits in England haven't gone unnoticed and neither have the achievements of the Island's third pro, David Bascome, who is having his best season with Harrisburg Heat in the National Professional Soccer League.

Bascome, after two indifferent seasons in the indoor game with, first the Heat and the now defunct Denver Thunder, is finally settling back into the Heat set-up where he leads their scoring with 25 goals in 17 games. Included in that are three hat-tricks and Bascome is also second in points, which are tabulated from goals scored and `assists'.

Bascome and strike partner Mark Pulisic have set the Heat on fire this season, something which was highlighted in an article in the Christmas issue of Soccer America. Under the headline "Heat tandem lights up opposing nets'' the article highighted the successful partnership Bascome and Pulisic, the team's points leader and second top scorer, have formed.

Pulisic came to Bermuda last year to help Bascome with his soccer clinics which he runs with Goater.

"Mark and David are good friends and have just clicked ever since I put them together on the same line,'' said Harrisburg head coach Jim Pollihan.

That hasn't surprised the 24-year-old Bermudian whose play, the article said, has been "somewhat of a marvel this season, considering that last season he played in just seven games before a back injury sidelined him.'' The back is fine now and Bascome's reputation has grown in leaps in bounds this season as he has established himself as a key member of the Heat five-man team.

"Am I surprised by my start? No, not really, I kind of expected it with the work I've put in,'' Bascome said in the interview.

"What has surprised me is that I've scored as much as I have. I'm in a position now where I need to show to coach Pollihan that, yes, I do belong in the NPSL and that, yes, I do belong on the Harrisburg Heat.'' Bascome signed for the Heat on January 7, 1992 and played 20 games in the club's debut season, registering 21 points. A move to Denver last season was a big disappointment as Bascome scored just seven points in 10 games. This season things are falling into place for the young Bermudian.

"I'm just happy that things are going so well for me,'' Bascome told The Royal Gazette this week. "Things have been tough for me the last three years.

"This is my first full season of being injury free, my back is doing well.'' Like Goater and Lightbourne, Bascome set himself a 20-goal target this season, something which he has already surpassed in helping Harrisburg to a 9-9 record. It was a modest target considering the high scoring nature of the indoor game, but from past experience Bascome chose to be cautiously optimistic about his aspirations.

"I didn't realise I was going to do this well, anything now is a bonus,'' he said. "I'm a regular in the starting lineup now. I wasn't fussy about playing indoor but I've gotten stronger and now I enjoy it.'' Bascome's career in soccer is moving full steam ahead again, having recently been accepted to the head coaching post at Palmyra High School in Harrisburg where he will coach the girls team. There is also the strong possibility that Bascome will return to the outdoor game when the professional league, the Major Soccer League, starts up in early 1996.

"When the big league starts the NPSL players will get first preference,'' he confirmed.

Bascome admits to not having been approached by the Bermuda Football Association to determine whether he would be interested in being one of the overseas players in the Pan Am Games squad. The fact that he was playing indoors might have had something to do with it.

"A soccer player is a soccer player whether he is playing indoor or outdoor,'' he insists. "I would love to play, if it wouldn't hinder me, but it's up to them (BFA).

"I haven't been approached but I can assure you if they want to approach me they better do it soon.'' That's because Harrisburg have their sights set on the play-offs in March, the same time as the Pan Am Games in Argentina, though Harrisburg has some catching up to do in the American Division where they trail leaders Cleveland Crunch by four games.

Harrisburg have two make-up games against bottom team Canton this weekend and are in a position to move up in the standings.