Lady Feet build for future

The Webb girls hope to do damage in the Division II-A East/Middle Region tournament once it kicks off on Saturday.

The Lady Feet, who won four league games during the season, will have their work cut out for them as they enter the tournament as the No. 9 seed and travel to St. Andrew's-Sewanee on Saturday at 2.

It has been a year of rebuilding under the promising coaching of Scott Dorsett, who took over the team just before school started after being an assistant at Blackman.

Last year the Blue and Gold ended their season fourth in the region after a loss to University School of Nashville in the consolation game. With a bigger and tougher region this year, the Lady Feet have their work cut out for them.

"If I was one of our opponents, I wouldn't want to draw us first," Dorsett said. "I think these girls will scrap. When you get to tournament time, you don't know what's going to happen. I think these ladies have come a long way, considering that they didn't have a summer together with me. Luckily we are a very young team. I think we've made a lot of strides in a lot of ways."

The Lady Feet defense attacks opponents with pressure and has managed to stagger some offensive strikes. Where the girls need improvement is in finishing those big defensive plays with something they can put on the board.

This year has been a challenge for Webb to finish a full four quarters. In the first half of the season the Lady Feet started their games well, but in the latter half it has been the opposite. If they can play with consistency through an entire game, they will be a serious threat in the tournament.

Elizabeth Lawrence has continued to be an important leader. Her help on the scoreboard and her intensity on "D" have given the team a lot of needed momentum. Her leadership role is evident every night the squad hits the pine. On a team with no seniors, junior Lawrence demands respect from her team and opponents. She enters Saturday's game with 999 career points.

Point guard Maya Porter has had several bouts with injuries and illness, but still plays a vital part in moving the team upcourt and making game-changing plays on defense. Faith Gwynn has joined freshmen Kat Coffey and Karly Grissom in working together as a collective menace on the scoreboard.

Natalie Johnson has developed an aggressive stance under the basket. She has matured well in her scoring assault, as well as being a key player in the passing game.

"I think we've got some good pieces," Dorsett said. "I feel pretty good, I'm not gonna lie. (I told the players that) we just need to play hard and continue to build from where we have come from since day one. Then we need to hit our stride going into the tournament."