As one of only three returning players on the Copiah-Lincoln Community College basketball team, Ann Webster knew she would have to step up her game.

&uot;I felt like more of a leader this season,&uot; said Webster, who averaged 14 points, 7 steals and 5 assists a game. &uot;I knew one of us would have to step up and carry the team and I felt I did that.&uot;

Co-Lin coach Gwyn Young said h can’t describe in words what Webster has meant to Co-Lin.

&uot;She’s been a good leader on the team has really hustled,&uot; Young said. &uot;She starts it all off by being a floor leader and getting everybody into the offense and setting the tone on defense.&uot;

The Lady Wolves finished 24-6 this season and lost to Meridian in the Region 23 Tournament.

&uot;It was kind of like a repeat of last year,&uot; Webster said.&160;&uot;We lost a lot of players, but still had a pretty good year.&uot;

Webster was selected to play in next Thursday’s state JUCO All-Star Game in Philadelphia.

Webster is undecided about where she will play next. She has received offers from several Division I schools.

&uot;There’s a whole bunch more than what I had coming out of high school,&uot;&160;she said. &uot;I’m trying to narrow it down.The signing date is April 12, but I’ll probably wait because I haven’t taken all of my visits and I want to be sure that whereever I go is where I want to be.&uot;

Young said Webster can play at the next level.

&uot;I think she’ll step right in someplace and be able to do the same things she did here,&uot; he said. &uot;She’ll play really hard on defense, get the steal and easy baskets off of them and set up her teammates on the offensive end.&uot;

Webster was the Class 3A Player of the Year at Ferriday High, leading the Lady Trojans to a perfect 39-0 season, including the state championship her senior year.

&uot;At first I thought it would be difficult coming out of high school and playing JUCO ball,&uot; she said. &uot;It was different, but it wasn’t something I couldn’t handle.&uot;

Webster said her 5-foot-4 size was never an issue. Her quickness and ability to steal the ball more than makes up for her height.

&uot;I’m doing the same thing although it’s not exactly the same, as I did in high school,&uot; Webster said. I’ve been able to steal the ball. I think my quickness is my biggest asset.&uot;

But Webster has also been able to improve her overall game.

&uot;I had a chance to work on my ballhanding skills and learned how to shoot the ball more than what I did in high school,&uot;&160;she said. &uot;I’ve improved in a lot of areas.&uot;

Webster, who is studying nursing, expects to continue improving in all areas at the next level.

&uot;I&160;feel like I’m ready to see what it’s all about,&uot;&160;she said.