It’s still early in the season, and Redmond High senior captains Lauren Bogard and Ali Jorgensen feel their team can get on track and win a handful of games when all is said and done.

“We’ve been working really hard and improving a lot,” said Bogard, a 5-foot-9 forward. “Last year, we fought hard and we played strong, but it was a little tough in the end. But we’re coming back and it’s good to play with all of our seniors.”

Other seniors include Maddie Erlandson, Claire Monsaas and Nikki Sowder and they are part of the plan to have the Mustangs rebound from a 6-14 overall record last year. At press time, the team was 0-1 in 4A Kingco and 0-2 overall.

“Defense is one of our strengths: We really pressure teams and kind of scare them sometimes,” said Jorgensen, a 5-5 point guard. “We always have confidence on the court, (and say) ‘If it is to be, it’s up to me.’ You’ve gotta make yourself something on the court — and we all have to work together.”

Offensively so far, 5-11 junior guard/forward Kelsey Dunn scored 19 points in Redmond’s recent loss to Bothell.

Bogard and Jorgensen have been varsity players for three years and said the team’s family atmosphere has them knowing what each Mustang is capable of adding to the team. They’re learning from each other and supporting each other the whole way.

Jorgensen added that new coach Kim Gervasoni is giving the team a good push to succeed.

“In just three weeks, we’ve already got a whole bunch of our fundamentals back and we’re really improving — so it’s awesome to see that,” she said.

Gervasoni is in her 20th year of coaching and previously was head coach at the University of Nevada, Reno, and Solano Community College in California and an assistant at Arizona State University.

After four years away from the game to start a family, Gervasoni felt the Redmond job was “the right fit for me.”

While at the University of Nevada, Reno, Gervasoni recruited Redmond High players, so she’s aware of the passion for basketball in this area.

“I’m really impressed with their focus and their attitude and their work ethic,” she said of this year’s squad. “We want to stick together as a team and get better every day we step into the gym — and then good things will happen.”

The coach wants the girls to feel her intensity, but also have fun along the way.

“Our main goal is that we develop them into good citizens and teach them life lessons,” Gervasoni said, adding that camaraderie and a family bond between the players and coach is also part of the deal.

“If we create that atmosphere, the wins will come because we’ll really care about each other,” she said.