Under head coach Kendall Webb, the Lady Raiders had their best season during the 2019-2020 school year, winning 30 games and capturing a share of the district title. The Rider Chronicle talked with Webb about his expectations for this upcoming season and the key players to look out for. 

Q: How will you and your players approach the higher expectations this year?

A: I think we have the winning mindset now. Last year’s regional run really built confidence for us, and it’s going to be an exciting year. 

Q: How will this season be different from previous ones? 

A: We return everybody, so we don’t have to spend as much time getting everyone familiar with what we want to do. Having a team that has played a full year together and won last year is big. 

Q: What are the different precautions being taken this year to protect the players? 

A: Masking up during practice. Not eating with each other. No team dinners. Cleaning everything. Lots of things go into trying to protect the players, but with this virus, you just have to expect the unexpected and roll with it. 

Q: Which key players are back from last year’s team, and how do you expect them to grow?

A: Our sophomore girls Jalynn Bristow and Ashlynn Knight are a great asset to the team. Bristow is already getting D-1 offers and Knight being newcomer of the year for the district. Junior Addison Self being a great contributor to the team as an all-district player and seniors Jaelynn White and Jill Leslie, both all-star players, with Leslie going to Oklahoma Baptist to play basketball for them. Our non-starters have made a lot of progress also and should be a great contribution to our team this year.  

Q: Who are the new players that are going to make a good impact this year?

A: Kylie Flippin is a guard who moved back here that will really make an impact at the guard position. Renya Robertson, Ella Austin, and Kaeli Donaldson have been in with me now for four years.

Q: Who do you think will be your toughest district opponents this year? 

A: With only five other teams, you can’t afford to lose any district game. I would say Aledo, Azle, Granbury and Brewer will be the tough district opponents. 

Q: How will playing a tougher schedule help you? 

A: Adversity. I think it will prepare us for the district. We need to go through tough games and situations to prepare us for the long haul. I wanted a tough schedule as we need to be pushed with a lot of returners being back.