By Anvil Welch

awelch@joplinglobe.com

You better believe the Webb City High School boys basketball team is ready to start the season.

“They’re ready for a game. They’re champin’ at the bit ... especially the veterans,” Cardinal coach Eric Johnson said Sunday.

The basketball Cardinals, their football players getting plenty of practice after an early ouster from the playoffs, open the season at Rogersville at 6 p.m. Tuesday with a junior varsity-varsity doubleheader.

Webb City has a veteran cast in seeking a third straight outright title in the Southwest Conference.

There are three full-time senior starters — 6-foot-5 Caleb Powell, 6-2 Chance Sossamon and 6-3 Landon Zerkel — among eight lettermen from a 20-8, 8-0 edition that reached the quarterfinals in Class 4.

Veterans Alan Pink, a 6-1 senior, and 6-4 junior Trey Laveroni, who drew starting assignments in 2006-07, are expected to join Powell, Sossamon and Zerkel in Tuesday’s starting lineup.

“However, some of the others could work into the starting lineup,” Johnson said.

Johnson for sure wouldn’t mind using tonight the six players who will complete the varsity roster.

They include junior veterans Parker Graham (6-7), Austin Lepper (6-3) and Adam Willliams (6-1).

Justin Boudreaux (6-0 senior), Mack Kyle (6-0 junior) and Patrick Drake (6-1 sophomore) round out the varsity roster.

“The first reserves will depend on what we’re needing in the lineup,” Johnson said.

“We’re very athletic with size throughout the lineup. We’re looking forward to competing against a strong schedule. Work ethic and unselfishness —a desire and willingness to play together as a team — will be keys to our success.”

Johnson said the lack of a true point guard is a concern.