Dave Riggert had a chance to talk to Missouri Western women's basketball coach Candi Whitaker on Tuesday as she wrapped up her first season on the sideline for the Griffons last month. Whitaker talks about having to be away from her team during the COVID-19 pandemic, recruiting during this unprecedented time and she reflects on the 2019-2020 season. CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW.
Whitaker led Missouri Western to a 21-8 record and they finished in a tie for fourth place in the MIAA at 13-6. She won more games in her first season than any other first-year coach in the history of the program, and was the second to win 20 or more in year one. Josh Keister was the other as he went 20-9 in the 2004-2005 season.
The 21 wins was a seven-win improvement over the previous season and the first 20-win season since 2017. Missouri Western junior Corbyn Cunningham was named First Team All-MIAA after averaging 15.7 points and 8.3 rebounds per game, and she shot 56.4% from the field.
Cunningham will be the only starter back as Whitaker will have to replace six seniors from the 2019-2020 team.