By Jordan Burton (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Webb City is one of the most experienced teams in the COC entering Lance Robbins’ seventh season.
With four starters and seven total letterwinners returning this winter, the Lady Cardinals will look to win the program’s first district championship since 2014.
Headlining the group of returners is All-COC and All-District selection Jaydee Duda and All-District pick Sierra Kimbrough.
Duda averaged 14 points and four steals and Kimbrough added eight points, three assists and three steals. Both senior guards have multiple college offers and form one of the best backcourts in the Ozarks.
“Jaydee led us in scoring last season and we hope that she will be able to put up similar or better numbers this year,” said Robbins. “She also led the team in steals and has the ability to make an impact on the game at both ends of the floor.
“Sierra will run the point for us again this season after having a successful junior season. We look for her to score more this season and continue to be a leader on the floor and in the locker room. Sierra can be a lockdown defender and prides herself on defending the other team’s best guard.”
They’ll be joined by classmate Raven Vaughn, who averaged seven points and five rebounds as a junior. She’s a 5-foot-8 wing that will bring versatility and athleticism to Webb City’s lineup.
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Juniors Kenzie Robbins and Peyton Hawkins also return after finding significant minutes as sophomores. Robbins, a 5-foot-10 forward, averaged six points and five rebounds last year and Hawkins, a 5-foot-7 guard, added four points and three rebounds.
“Kenzie was our second leading rebounder last season and we look for her to excel in that area again,” said Robbins. “She has the potential to be another scoring threat for us as well. She suffered an ACL tear in the final game of the regular season, but has worked extremely hard at rehab and should be ready to go by early December.
“Peyton is a competitor. She’s a scrappy, hard-nosed player who does all the little things it takes for our team to be successful. She even led our team in charges drawn.”
Sophomores Kate Brownfield and Kyan Sanborn also return after lettering as freshmen. The 5-foot-8 guards can play inside-out and also have the ability to knock down shots.
Robbins is also excited about having a healthy Josie Spikereit. The 5-foot-10 junior missed all of last season due to injury, but had a tremendous summer for Webb City.
Juniors Ripley Shanks and Austyn Mickey, as well as sophomores Kylee Jennings and Izzy Lopez, will compete for rotational minutes. Freshmen Mia Robbins and Mallory Stanley will also be in the mix.
Webb City has finished as the district runner-up for three straight years, something this senior class has experienced firsthand.
From 2009 to 2014, Webb City won five district championships in six seasons, including four Final Four appearances and a state championship in 2012.
This group is eager to restore that tradition and start their own legacy.
“We are excited for the upcoming season and look forward to the opportunity to compete,” said Robbins. “We hope that we put ourselves in a position at the end to be able to compete for a conference championship. This group returns several players with varsity experience – for us to have success we want we will need to have discipline on both ends of the floor, score the basketball better than in past years, and rebound. If we can do those things we will have a chance to be successful.”
Webb City opens the 2020-21 season on Dec. 3 at the Carthage Tournament.
