Webb City returns a group of standout guards entering the 2023-24 season.
And with three returning starters, and plenty of overall team depth, expectations are high once again in Webb City.
“Our staff is excited to get the season started and watch this group compete,” Webb City coach Jason Horn said. “We return a very athletic group of guys who gained valuable experience in some big games at the varsity level last season. I think we can compete with any team on our schedule. For me, the most important thing is to see our players grow individually and collectively as a unit.”
Webb City’s returning starters are senior guard Barron Duda and junior guards Holton Keith and Eli Pace.
The 6-foot-3 Duda earned all-conference and all-district recognition as a junior after averaging 14 points and six rebounds a game. Duda made 54 3-pointers last winter.
“Barron had a great junior season,” Horn said. “Barron’s a tremendous shooter who can score the ball from all three levels.”
The 6-1 Keith averaged 10.5 points, four assists and just under two steals per contest last season, while the 6-foot Pace contributed 6.5 points, 3.3 assists and 1.5 steals a game as the team’s floor general.
“Holton is a great leader and on-ball defender,” Horn said. “He plays the game with unmatched energy and toughness. I think he has the potential to be one of the better players in the area.
“Eli will run the point for us again this season,” Horn continued. “He’s a high IQ player who makes everyone around him better. His ability to score and distribute the basketball makes him a tough matchup for our opponents.”
Other athletes returning with prior varsity experience are 6-foot senior guard Omari Jackson, 6-4 junior forward Joel Hendrix and 5-8 sophomore guard Gabe Johnson.
“Omari is a tremendous athlete who plays the game with a great deal of toughness,” Horn said. “He has a quick first step and can finish at the rim. Joel has great touch around the basket. His length, athleticism and ability to shoot the basketball will make him a tough matchup in the post. Gabe is a hard-nosed competitor on the court. He’s an explosive athlete and a tremendous playmaker.”
Junior forward Joseph DeGraffenreid and sophomores Slade Hurd (G), Trae Turner (G) and Dalton Riggs (F) are other players who have the potential to make an impact at the varsity level.
“Joseph can spread the floor with his ability to shoot the basketball,” Horn said. “Trae is a very skilled and athletic guard who can finish plays at the rim. Slade is a solid guard who can shoot the ball from behind the arc. Dalton is a fundamentally solid player with a great motor who can finish plays around the basket.”
Horn noted there’s a lot to like about this year’s group, especially its guard play.
“Team speed should be a plus for us again this season and we will look to speed the tempo up on both ends of the floor,” he said.
Of course, every team has its areas of concern heading into a new season. And as always, the Cardinals will be getting off to a late start due to the football team’s successful postseason run.
“I think our depth will improve as the season progresses, but early on we could experience some growing pains with some of our key reserves getting used to the speed and physicality of the varsity game,” Horn said.
Horn said the keys to success are simple this winter.
“No. 1 is we have to stay healthy,” he said. “If we can do that and continue to improve our timing on the offensive end while cutting down on unnecessary fouls defensively, I think we can compete at a high level.”
Webb City went 17-11 last season and ended the season in the district semifinals. The Cardinals lost Trey Roets, Alex Martin and Joe Adams to graduation.
The Cardinals open the 2023-24 season at home against Monett on Dec. 5.
