The experienced backcourt trio of Mia Robbins, Malorie Stanley and Kirra Long will lead the Webb City girls basketball team this winter.
In addition to the three returning guards, the Cardinals will feature several newcomers in big roles this winter.
“We are really excited about the group of girls we have out this year,” Webb City coach Lance Robbins said. “They are very coachable and have a desire to compete. We have a good mix of youth and veterans that we believe will keep getting better as the season progresses and they play more together. We look forward to seeing what this group can accomplish.”
Mia Robbins is a varsity veteran entering her senior season, as she’s been a key performer for her father’s squad the last several years. She averaged just under six points per game last season while leading the team in steals and 3-point percentage.
“We expect Mia to provide us with leadership and to increase her scoring this season,” Coach Robbins said.
Stanley is a senior and Long is a junior. Both scored about five points per game last winter. And both players should have expanded roles this year.
“Mal can be a difference maker on both ends of the floor for us,” Robbins said. “And we expect her to be a big contributor this season. Kirra has the potential to have a breakout season. She can create off the dribble and has improved her 3-point shooting.”
Sophomore guard Kylee Sargent and juniors Brynn Gilchrist (F) and Kamdyn Myers (G) are players who could contribute at the varsity level this winter.
“Kylee will miss the first part of the season due to injury, but we expect her to be a big part of our success when she gets back on the floor,” Robbins said. “Brynn should help us defensively and with rebounding. Kamdyn is a solid defender who could compete for playing time at the varsity level.”
Junior post player Jenna Schulz is another newcomer who is expected to contribute.
“She’s an athletic post that can defend, rebound and run the floor,” Robbins said.
Other newcomers who could see playing time this winter include sophomore Karsyn Cahoon and freshmen Abby Sargent, Addie Burns, Adalyn Maxwell, Kaelyn Maxwell and Jocelyn Maxwell. Burns and the Maxwell triplets provide height inside.
With the season opener quickly approaching, Coach Robbins noted there’s a lot to like about this year’s group.
“We believe one of our biggest strengths is that we are a well-rounded team,” Robbins said. “We have about four or five kids that on a given night could get us 15-20 points. With several scoring options we could cause opponents problems defensively. We are scoring the ball better than we have in recent years. Another strength is our kids’ willingness to learn. They have been very coachable, and practice has been fun.”
Last year, Webb City went 18-11 overall and 5-4 in the always-tough Central Ozark Conference. The Cardinals ended last season with a loss in the district title game against eventual state runner-up Carl Junction.
The Cardinals lost three starters from last year’s squad, as Kate Brownfield and Izzy Lopez graduated, and all-state post player Sami Mancini transferred to Link Academy.
Robbins is optimistic the Cardinals can put together another solid season this winter.
“We want to build off that success we had last year,” Robbins said. “Although we will be a different looking team and have adjusted some things schematically to fit our personnel, we still feel like we will be a very competitive basketball team.”
Robbins added there’s still plenty of work to do if the Cardinals want to peak at the end of the season.
“A big concern for us going into the season is rebounding,” Robbins said. “We really need a few kids to step up and take ownership of that defender/rebounder role for our team. We have some kids that are capable of doing that and we’re confident that they will get the job done. It sounds cliche, but staying healthy is a big key to our success. Another big key will be how quickly some of our younger players adjust to varsity level play.”
Webb City will meet Bentonville at 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 30 at the Carthage Invitational. The team’s first home game is Dec. 5 against McDonald County.
