BLONDE AMBITION
Sophomore guard Cam Webster steps up for clicking Kankakee Valley, leading the team in scoring and assists
With most of his mullet bleached blond, Kankakee Valley sophomore Cam Webster is virtually impossible to miss on the court.
More importantly, the 6-foot-3 guard’s performance has made him so.
Webster is the leading scorer for the Kougars, who are in the process of putting together a potentially special season. He was averaging 16.0 points and a teamhigh 2.9 assists entering Friday night’s game at Highland.
Webster made an impact as a freshman last season, starting and averaging 8.4 points.
But he’s progressed significantly this season.
“He really was just finding his way last year,” Kankakee Valley coach Bill Shepherd said. “He had a really good middle school career, scoring a lot of points, and then he
came up to the varsity as a freshman and kind of deferred. I’d never seen him do that. I don’t know if it was just out of respect for the upperclassmen or maybe feeling his way.
“This year, he’s definitely stepped it up. He looks like he feels comfortable. He’s still working on his defense a little bit, but as far as scoring, he can put the ball in the basket a lot of ways.”
Webster acknowledged he was nervous last season, particularly early. But he quickly shed that feeling, with then-senior forward Eli Carden among those teammates who eased his transition.
“I have a lot more confidence this year, and I was prepared for the physicality,” Webster said. “I’m not shying away from contact.
“I’ve been shooting the ball and getting open pretty well. I’ve been creating separation. But my teammates help me out a lot. The big men set me screens and get me
wide-open on most of our plays.”
Kankakee Valley has been clicking at a high level overall this season.
The Kougars (10-3) already have
eclipsed their total victories from each of the last two seasons (9-14). They last won a sectional game in 2019, also the last time they had a winning season at 13-12.
They could post their most wins since they went 19-4 in the 199899 season. And they’re eying their first sectional title since 2008, which was their first since 1992. They have the bonus of hosting this season, with teams such as Culver Academies, back in Class 3A after two seasons in 4A because of the tournament success factor, standing in the way.
“Sectionals has been one of our main goals,” Webster said. “We want to go as far as we can.
“We’re just moving the ball so good. Everyone gets along. The locker room atmosphere is great. On the court, no one cares who scores. We play as a group, as a team. The intensity this year is completely different. Everyone loves to practice — they’re so excited to practice. Coach Shep’s doing a great job. He’s developed all of us into becoming a great
team.”
Indeed, the Kougars envisioned having this type of season. They’ve been focused on it since losing their opening sectional game last season to Hanover Central at New Prairie.
“After we thanked the seniors and dismissed them, the first thing I said to the underclassmen in the locker room last year was, ‘Well, this is the year you’ve been waiting for,’ ” Shepherd said. “When you look at one sectional title in 30 years, this is the year they’ve been waiting on for a long time to step out and do some things.
“It’s just a really tight-knit group that works hard every day and knows they can get better. They’re happy with what they’re doing, but they’re not satisfied. That’s a good mentality to have. We’re probably in a pretty good three to four-year run right now with our talent. These kids are really good and hopefully they’ll leave a pretty good legacy in March.”
Webster is an integral part of that talent pool seeking to make a mark. His demeanor also benefits the team.
“He’s probably the most care-free kid I’ve ever coached,” Shepherd said. “It’s whatever, whatever, whatever with Cam. When he’s on the court, he’s serious. When he’s off the court, he’s just having fun and being a kid. He keeps things loose.”