By Jordan Burton (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Lance Robbins is entering his 10th season at Webb City, returning just two starters and four total letterwinners from last year’s 18-11 group that played for a district championship. He’ll be assisted by veteran Kathy Harris, as well as former standouts Brooke Stauffer (Neosho/MSSU) and Kenzie Robbins (Webb City).
But it’s not a rebuild for Robbins and the Lady Cards; they expect to compete for conference and district titles behind a trio of experienced guards.
Seniors Mia Robbins and Malorie Stanley return after averaging 5.5 points and 4.6 points respectively. They also combined to average three steals per game.
Both have earned the reputation as shooters and scorers.
“We are excited about the core group we have coming back from last season’s team,” said Robbins. “They had a great season and are looking to build off of that success.
“Mia was our third leading scorer last year, leading us in 3-point percentage and steals. We look for her to take on more of a scoring role this year. Mal has the ability to score at all three levels and we will need her to do that this year.”
Also returning to that experienced backcourt is junior guard Kirra Long. Long can also score (5 PPG) but does a little bit of everything for the Lady Cards, especially as a facilitator.
She will also take on a bigger role this winter.
“This year we will be able to play her off the ball a little more than last year, so we expect her to look to score the basketball at a higher level,” said Robbins.
Sophomore Kylee Sargent also returns after seeing action in 29 games as a freshman. She’s another guard that Robbins describes as someone that has the toughness and IQ to do little things that help win games but may not show up in the stat sheet.
Several newcomers will look for roles.
Juniors Brynee Gilchrist and Kamdyn Myers, as well as sophomore Karsyn Cahoon, will all compete for rotational minutes, Gilchrist is a 5-foot-9 post that brings physicality and defensive presence in the paint. Myers and Cahoon will add perimeter depth.
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Robbins has a freshman class that has the potential to be a special group collectively.
Guards Abby Sargent and Whitlee Keith will give the Lady Cards a pair of ball handlers that can also score, proving that ability during the summer.
“Abby is only a freshman, but we feel like she has the ability to be a difference maker for us at the point guard spot this season,” said Robbins. “She has a great knowledge of the game, good leadership skills, and is a winner. Will be a player to watch over the next four years.
“Whitlee has the ability to compete for some varsity minutes this season at the guard spot. Her ability to score the ball in spurts will be something we look for her to do.”
Webb City will also add some much needed size in the form of triplets Adalyn, Jocelyn and Kaelyn Maxwell, as well as classmate Addi Burns.
All four freshmen measure at least 6-feet tall and provide not just length, but an impressive amount of athleticism as well.
“We will be looking for some of our young post players to step in and compete for varsity minutes this season,” said Robbins. “They need to provide us with rebounding and some size defensively in the paint. All three of the triplets had a good summer, they are coachable and have a huge upside. As they progress in their skill development and confidence it will allow us to do more things as a team.
“Addi’s size, athleticism and skill set allow her to play inside or outside. We foresee her playing multiple spots for us this season as she gains confidence and gains varsity playing experience.”
Despite the pockets of inexperience, this is a group that is talented enough to be playing well into March. The Lady Cardinals reload has them in the hunt for the program’s first district title since 2014, a period that saw Webb City win district titles in five of six seasons, including a state championship in 2010.
“We believe our team has the potential to compete with anyone, but it will be important to take care of our business at home and sneak a couple on the road in order to compete for a conference championship,” said Robbins. “We feel like our tough non-conference schedule helps prepare us for the conference and the district tournament.
“We will be young and inexperienced at times early in the season, but we feel like as the season progresses and our younger girls get varsity experience we will be able to compete for a district championship when the time arrives.”
Webb City will host Carl Junction, Aurora and Neosho in a jamboree on Nov. 16 before opening the 2023-24 regular season on Nov. 30 at the Carthage Tournament.
