By Jordan Burton (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
At first look, it’s easy to write off Webb City’s 2017-18 season as an underwhelming 12-15 campaign.
But, there’s plenty of reasons for Webb City faithful to be excited about what could be in store entering Lance Robbins’ fifth year at the helm. Especially with the Lady Cardinals returning eight players with varsity experience, three of whom started last year in seniors Ally Vanzant, Abby Brownfield and Madeline Hayes.
Junior guards Darcy Darnell and Keira Jackson also return two-years each of varsity experience.
“We bring back three seniors all of whom we expect to provide us with good leadership throughout the season,” said Robbins. “We also return two juniors that have played significant minutes over the last two seasons and are ready to compete for starting roles.”
A strong sophomore class – led by guards Sierra Kimbrough and Jaydee Duda – will also figure into the equation, adding the ability to defend on the perimeter and score.
The added scoring punch will be a welcomed addition for Webb City.
Last year, the Lady Cardinals failed to score more than 40 points in 13 games. The program was 9-5 when scoring more than 40, which includes wins over Fair Grove and Branson.
Webb City lost five games by a single possession, including near upsets of Carl Junction, Ozark and Rogersville.
Robbins is confident his returning group will collectively be one of the best scoring teams he’s had in his tenure at Webb City.
“At times we have struggled to score the last couple of seasons especially in late game situations,” said Robbins. “I feel like this group has the ability to score the ball better as a group than we have in previous years. If we are able to do that we have the ability to have a good basketball team.”
They’ll receive no favors from their schedule, one that includes Springdale (Ark.) and nationally-ranked prospect Marquesha Davis, Class 3 powers Mount Vernon and Fair Grove and a pair of tournaments in Northwest Arkansas. That’s in addition to the always loaded COC gauntlet.
For both Webb City and Robbins, this year offers a unique point for the youth program in the town. Started by Robbins in 2014-15, Future Lady Cards is a youth development program. Webb City’s sophomore class was able to play a year in the program.
The hope is that it’ll better prepare the future of the program. This will be the first season to see that come to fruition.
“We have several underclassmen that will compete for varsity time and hopefully provide us with some depth,” said Robbins. “We feel like the next few years can be very successful for our program. A lot of time has been spent with our youth program and those kids are now starting to funnel into the HS beginning with the sophomore class.”
Webb City will open the 2018-19 season on Nov. 29 at the Rogers (Ark.) Tournament.
