Webb City’s girls basketball team will feature a number of varsity veterans and some promising newcomers when the 2021-22 season officially begins on Monday.
“We are looking forward to the start of the season,” Webb City coach Lance Robbins said. “Although we lost some key players to graduation, we feel like we have a solid group coming back and some very talented younger kids to step in and fill the void. Our focus this year will be getting back to simple fundamental basketball, focusing on competing and improving each day. As always, the conference will be very competitive with many talented teams and players. We have a strong non-conference schedule that will help prepare us for the gauntlet of the COC.”
The Cardinals will feature four seniors.
Kenzie Robbins, a 5-foot-9 forward, missed a large part of last season due to a knee injury. She averaged five points and three boards a game, earning second-team all-district honors.
“Kenzie is coming off an ACL injury, and once we get her back and healthy, we think she can help with our scoring,” Coach Robbins said.
Fellow seniors Josie Spikereit and Ripley Shanks are 5-10 forwards who gained varsity experience last year, while classmate Austyn Mickey is a 5-7 guard.
“Our biggest strength this year will be our senior leadership,” Coach Robbins said. “We have four seniors who were not satisfied with how the season ended last year and that resonates throughout the program. And I think we have the chance to be a very good defensive team with our size and length at all five positions.”
Junior guard Kate Brownfield is another top returner. The 5-9 Brownfield averaged six points and six rebounds a game last year, earning all-district honors.
“Kate Brownfield ended the season last year playing really good basketball,” Robbins said. “She had a good summer and is someone we think can have a breakout season this year. She has all the tools to do some good things.”
Sophomore guards Mia Robbins and Malorie Stanley both gained plenty of varsity experience last season and should take on bigger roles this winter.
Mia Robbins is a 5-8 point guard who averaged three boards, two points and two assists a game as a freshman, while Stanley is a 5-8 shooting guard who contributed four points and two rebounds a game.
Junior guard Kylie Jennings also returns after earning varsity minutes last season.
Webb City has three newcomers that are expected to contribute in a big way.
Sami Mancini is a 6-5 freshman post player who should make an immediate impact.
“Sami is only a freshman, but we are expecting some good things out of her in the post area,” Robbins said. “At 6-5, she has the ability to be a game changer for us.”
Junior Izzy Lopez and freshman Kirra Long will provide depth at the guard position.
The Cardinals must overcome the loss of Jaydee Duda and Sierra Kimbrough, a pair of guards who led the way in scoring last season.
“We lost the majority of our scoring from last season, so we will need some individuals to step up into that scoring role,” Robbins said. “We certainly have several girls who are capable of doing that.”
The Cardinals will look to improve upon last year’s 10 wins.
“The biggest key for us will be how quickly some of our young girls mature. That will allow us to have some depth in our lineup,” Robbins said.
Webb City hosts McDonald County on Monday in the season opener.
