BY JASON PEAKE
For the second consecutive week, the Webb City High School girls basketball team is heading to Northwest Arkansas for an early-season tournament.
In the first action of the 2018-19 campaign, the Cardinals went 1-2 at last week's Great 8 Classic in Rogers.
Webb City suffered losses to Rogers Heritage (47-30) and Camdenton (65-55) before beating Fort Smith Southside 54-23.
"It was a very good tournament," Webb City coach Lance Robbins said. "We saw some good things, and I think we got better with each game. We did a lot of nice things in our last game. One thing we learned is we have to do a better job of taking care of the basketball."
Webb City is heading to the Bentonville Tournament this week, where they'll play the hosts on Thursday before contests against Springdale Har-Ber on Friday and Bentonville West on Saturday.
"We'll have our work cut out for us," Robbins said. "By the time the first two weeks of the season get done, I think we'll have played about every team in Northwest Arkansas."
With the season underway, the Cardinals are relying heavily on five key performers from last year's team that won 12 games.
Seniors Ali Vanzant, Madeline Hayes and Abby Brownfield and juniors Darcy Darnell and Keira Jackson are the team's most experienced performers.
The seniors all started last season. Vanzant is a 5-foot-5 point guard, while the 5-8 Hayes is a shooting guard and Brownfield is a 5-10 forward.
"They've done a good job of providing good leadership for us," Robbins said of his seniors. "Ali and Madeline have been playing varsity since they were freshmen."
A pair of guards, Darnell (5-6) and Jackson (5-8) both have two years of prior varsity experience.
The team's current starting lineup consists of Vanzant, Hayes, Darnell, Jackson and sophomore Raven Vaughn, who missed the majority of last season because of injury.
Robbins noted that Brownfield is a likely starter once she returns from an illness.
Other juniors on the roster are Emilee Kerr and Kajah Jackson. Junior Taylor Harris, the team's tallest player at 5-foot-11, is out for the season after suffering a knee injury.
In addition to Vaughn, the sophomore class features Sierra Kimbrough, Jaydee Duda, Caylen White and Chelsea Canepa, while freshmen Kenzie Robbins, Josie Spikereit and Mercea Tillman are also on the varsity roster.
Now in his fifth season at the helm, Robbins said all of those players have the potential to contribute at the varsity level this winter. Robbins noted there's a lot to like about this year's squad.
"I like our senior leadership," said Robbins, who is assisted by Bre Faircloth and Kathy Harris. "I like our work ethic. The girls have come in everyday and worked hard. They have good attitudes and they're doing what we're asking them to do. Some of them are stepping into new roles, but they're buying in. I think our girls are willing to do what's best for the team, and that's something we're proud of."
The team's first home date will be Dec. 15 against Pittsburg (Kansas) High School at 4 p.m., and the Cardinals will host their three-day invite from Dec. 27-29.
Robbins said he's optimistic his Cardinals can put together a solid season.
Joplin Globe 12/5/2018 (Used by permission)
"We've battled a little bit of adversity starting out the season," Robbins said, noting injuries and illnesses. "But we'll keep working through it, and I think we'll be all right."