With four returning starters and seven players with prior varsity experience, the Webb City girls basketball team will put an experienced group on the court this winter.
And with that experience comes heightened expectations.
“We have a good core back and we’re excited about the upcoming season,” Webb City coach Lance Robbins said. “The group back has played a lot of varsity minutes for us over the last three years. We feel like if we can keep everybody healthy and work hard in practice to get better, we can be a pretty good basketball team.”
Senior guard Jaydee Duda returns after earning all-conference and all-district honors last season. Duda averaged 14 points and four steals per game last winter.
The 5-foot-8 Duda had a lot of good moments during Tuesday’s jamboree that also featured Carl Junction, Mount Vernon and Walnut Grove.
“Jaydee worked hard in the offseason,” Robbins said. “I think she can be real effective from the shooting guard spot. She showed tonight that she can run the point guard spot as well. She shot the ball pretty well tonight. And she did a good job of getting to the basket and creating for others. I think she can have a really good senior season.”
Senior point guard Sierra Kimbrough (5-5) earned all-district honors last year after averaging eight points, three assists and three steals per game, while senior shooting guard Raven Vaughn (5-9) averaged seven points and five rebounds a game last year.
Kimbrough and Vaughn are both threats from beyond the 3-point arc and will look to provide senior leadership.
Kenzie Robbins, a 5-10 junior, returns after averaging six points and five rebounds a game last year. Robbins, who is coming off a knee injury, can provide an inside presence.
Also back is Peyton Hawkins, 5-7 junior guard who averaged four points and three boards a game last year.
“All of those girls played a lot of quality minutes for us last year and we look for them to do a lot of good things,” Robbins said. “And Peyton’s one of those players who will always do the little things for us.”
Another player Coach Robbins expects to contribute nicely is 5-11 junior forward Josie Spikereit, who sat out last season due to an injury.
“It’s nice to have Josie back,” Robbins said. “She missed quite a bit of her freshman year and then all of last year. She’s worked extremely hard to get herself back into playing shape. I thought she had a good night tonight. She did a lot of good things. She was a physical presence inside.”
Other juniors on the roster are Austyn Mickey and Ripley Shanks. Sophomores on the roster are Izzy Lopez, Kate Brownfield and Kylie Jennings.
In 2019-20, Webb City won 13 games and ended the season in a district championship game for the second straight season. This year, the Cardinals will look to go a step further.
Robbins, who is assisted by Bre Faircloth, Kathy Harris, Morgan Brodie and Morgan Brightwell, said there’s a lot to like about this year’s group.
“I think we can be a very good defensive team,” Robbins said. “I think we can be an effective and efficient offensive team if we continue to move the ball like we did at times tonight.”
Webb City will begin the season on Dec. 3 at the Carthage Invitational. And with the pandemic in mind, Robbins noted he’s more than pleased the season is set to begin.
“I’m looking forward to seeing the kids get the opportunity to get out there and do something they love,” he said. “It’s a blessing to be able to be out there on the court.”
