Webb City boys basketball coach Jason Horn has had to play the waiting game year after year, as a large number of his athletes were still playing football into late November or early December.
With that, the Cardinals were regularly off to a late start to the hoops season.
But this year, a deep postseason run didn’t materialize for the school’s perennial power football program, meaning Horn’s full basketball squad was able to get together much earlier.
“I had to go back six years into my practice plans because I haven’t had a full team in six years to start the season, so it was different for me,” Horn said. “It’s definitely an advantage because we’ll have our kids in game shape sooner. It’s an opportunity for us to fine-tune things as opposed to rushing through stuff in order to play a game. We can take our time a little bit more this year and really work on the things we want to work on. It’s something we’re trying to take advantage of.”
For the Cardinals, getting off to a much earlier start can only help the program reach its lofty goals in 2022-23, especially with many new faces in big roles.
“Hopefully we’ll look a little better early in the season than we have in the past,” Horn said. “I think it puts a little more pressure on us. We don’t have that excuse that we’ve had in the past as far as not being in basketball shape or the kids not having a chance to work with a basketball in their hands before the first game.”
The Cardinals will be led by seven players who contributed nicely to last year’s squad that went 18-9 overall and 5-3 in the Central Ozark Conference.
Seniors Trey Roets, Alex Martin and Joe Adams, juniors Barron Duda, Omari Jackson and Jonah Spieker and sophomore Holton Keith all return with prior varsity experience.
“We’re excited for the upcoming season,” Horn said. “I know our staff is looking forward to working with this group and our players are excited for their opportunity to compete at the varsity level and to have a chance to add to the tradition of our program.”
Horn noted there’s a lot to like about the group.
“I think we have a talented group returning that can compete at a high level,” Horn said. “Good leadership from our senior class will be key for us to compete with the top teams on our schedule.”
A 6-foot-4 forward who excels in the post, Roets averaged 11.5 points and six rebounds a game last winter while making 57 percent of his field goal attempts in a starting role.
Martin, a 6-5 forward, is back with the program after contributing nicely as a sophomore. Duda (6-3), Adams (6-0), Jackson (6-0) and Keith (6-0) provide the Cardinals with plenty of depth and versatility in the backcourt, while the 6-2 Spieker is a forward.
Junior forward Cole Cavitt (6-1), sophomores Eli Pace (6-0), Joseph Degraffenreid (6-2), Garrett Powell (5-10), Brody Eggleston (5-10), Andrew Young (5-11), Joel Hendrix (6-4), Jackson Pickett (5-10) and Rece Ponce (6-1) and freshman Gabe Johnson (5-8) are other players who are competing for varsity playing time.
“We have good depth and a proven scoring presence inside,” Horn said. “Our guard play should still be a strength for us with a number of guys being able to make shots from the perimeter and get to the basket off the dribble.”
Now in his seventh season at Webb City, Horn said an improved defense will be a key to success this winter.
“Defensively, we have to do a better job of limiting straight line drives and pressuring the ball without committing unnecessary fouls,” he said.
The Cardinals will unfortunately be without senior guard Dante Washington, who suffered a knee injury early in the football season. Washington averaged 14 points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals per game last season.
Webb City also lost a solid group to graduation, including all-COC performer Kaden Turner, starting point guard Cohl Vaden and sharpshooter Max Higginbotham.
For the Cardinals, the keys to a successful campaign are not complicated.
“I think staying healthy is the biggest key for a successful season,” Horn said. “If we can stay healthy and focused on improving daily in practice, we’ll give ourselves a chance to compete with anyone on our schedule.”
Webb City competed at Neosho’s jamboree last week with McDonald County and the host Wildcats.
“I was really pleased with how we played at the jamboree,” Horn said. “I thought we played with a lot of energy. Offensively, we shared the ball and we saw some good things. Defensively, we rotated well, but we need to do a better job on our closeouts and at rebounding. Overall, I’m really pleased with where we’re at.”
Webb City hosts Lamar at 7 p.m. on Dec. 6.
