By Chris Parker
Webb City boys basketball has posted 10 consecutive winning seasons in a row. If that streak is to continue, the Cardinals will need some new players to step up in the wake of graduated first-team all-conference selections Eli Pace and Holton Keith.
“Eli and Holton were both great competitors with a tireless work ethic,” Webb City head coach Jason Horn said. “They were a great example of what can be accomplished through hard work and a positive attitude. They were a part of a lot of great individual moments, and they led our program 72 wins wearing a Cardinal uniform.”
The duo accounted for 60% of Webb City’s points last season. Behind them, four players who scored between 100 and 200 points return.
“We have a number of guys who will look to step and fill the void left by Eli and Holton,” Horn said. “I think initially you look to the guys with returning experience, but we also have a good group of underclassmen who are ready to step and leave their mark on the program.”
Seniors Trae Turner (6’1 guard), Slade Hurd (6’0 guard) and Holden Johnson (6’4 forward) along with Mason Young (6’3 junior) all return.
Turner led that group in scoring 6.7 points per game with 3 rebounds and assists per game.
“Trae Turner is a very skilled and athletic guard who can finish plays at the rim,” Horn said.
Hurd averaged 6.2 points per game.
“Slade Hurd is an athletic guard who can step out and shoot the three,” Horn said.
Johnson contributed 3.6 points per game.
“Holden Johnson is a long, athletic and aggressive player who can give us a boost offensively,” Horn said. “His length will help us defensively and rebounding the basketball.”
Young saw action in all 29 games as a sophomore averaging 2.2 points and 3.2 rebounds per game.
“Mason Young has a great motor and plays the game with a lot of energy,” Horn said. “His length and athleticism allow him to guard multiple positions.”
Senior Hudson Matthiesen will be an impact transfer standing at 6-foot-7.
“Hudson Matthiesen has length, and his ability to shoot the basketball will make him a matchup nightmare,” Horn said. “He can score the basketball from all three levels and will give us a shot blocking presence around the basket.”
Carson Anderson is another transfer who will look to make an impact as a 6-foot-2 guard.
Seniors Grayson Smith (5’10 guard) and Fen Rice (5’8 guard) along with sophomores Jackson Adams (6’0 guard), Bratie Holland (6’0 guard) and Rylan Houston (6’5 forward) will be newcomers to watch.
“We will have good depth with a solid group of sophomores who could push for playing time and create competition for jobs,” Horn said. “We have a good mix of size and athleticism that could prove to be a tough matchup for our opponents.”
Horn will work to figure out the best rotation early in the season.
“There are a lot of unknowns with this group so establishing and defining roles early will be huge in determining how successful we can be,” Horn said.
Webb City opens the season on Dec. 9 at Pittsburg (Kan.).
