Competing without one of its captains, the Redmond wrestling team pulled off a comeback for the ages during Tuesday’s 4A Kingco contest against Mount Si. The Mustangs, who will be without injured senior Jimmy Brookman for the rest of the season, finished the meet with four straight pins to squeak by the Wildcats, 35-33.

The meet led off with the 285-pound bout and looped around to the lower weight classes. Mount Si won the first four matches to take a commanding 27-6 lead. The Wildcats later extended their advantage to 33-11 after Zach Robertson, filling in for the injured Brookman, was pinned at 152.

With their backs to the wall, Redmond responded to the challenge.

Andrew Colleran (160 pounds) and Tyler Black (171) both earned quick first-round pins before Joe Glass (189) earned a pin against Mount Si’s Doc Derwin late in the second round (3 minutes, 26 seconds) as the Mustangs pulled to within four points, 33-29.

The meet all came down to the 215-pound matchup between Redmond’s Esteban Herrera, the Mustangs’ only returning state qualifier and Tont Hanna of Mount Si. Herrera delivered in the clutch, achieving the meet-winning pin in 1:17 as Redmond pulled out the 35-33 win.

The victory improved Redmond’s league meet record to 5-2 on the season and 5-3 overall.

Even in victory, the Mustangs competed with a heavy heart as it was learned that Brookman, who injured his shoulder during last Thursday’s win against Newport, will be out for the season.

The 152-pound senior landed awkwardly on his right arm after being thrown to the mat, which caused his scapula (shoulder blade) to shift underneath his collarbone. Brookman is expected to be out 6-8 weeks, which will cause him to miss all of the postseason wrestling action.

“He’s still in a lot of pain,” said Mullen. “He came by our meet at Mount Si after visiting the doctor, and you could just see it in his face. It wasn’t good news.”

Still, Mullen intends on keeping Brookman a vital part of the team, although it will be from the sidelines.

“He’s such a good kid,” Mullen said of his team co-captain. “His leadership abilities are second to none, so we’re keeping him involved by supporting and encouraging everyone, walking around with his sling on. We’ve made him a coach now.”

Mustangs keep on winning

The Redmond boys’ basketball team, playing on the road, continued its hot streak with a 60-45 thrashing of the Lake Washington Kangaroos on Tuesday.

The game was tight until the third quarter, when the Mustang offense clamped down on the Kangs. Redmond outscored LW, 15-7, in that decisive frame, and carried the momentum through the fourth quarter for the win.

Senior Justin Alexander led all scorers with 15, and senior guard Chris Harrington, who is leading the team with 12 points per game, added 13.

With their fifth-straight win after losing their first two contests in 4A Kingco play, the Mustangs (5-2) have moved into a tie for second place with Issaquah in the Crest division, trailing league-favorite Garfield (8-0). The Mustangs have an overall record of 7-4.

Owls drop one to Cardinals

Senior forward Danny Poplawski led all scorers with 17, but it wasn’t enough as Overlake lost to Seattle Academy, 49-40, in a 1A Emerald City League home game on Tuesday.

The Owls got off to a sluggish start, scoring just eight in the first quarter and trailing 27-14 at the half as the Cardinals coasted to the win.

Patrick McMahon led Seattle Academy with 15, one of three Cardinals in double-digits. Senior Chandler Hire scored eight for the Owls.

The loss evened Overlake’s league record to 3-3 and dropped its overall mark to 7-5 on the season.

Streaking Lady Owls win third straight

The Overlake girls’ basketball team held off a furious fourth-quarter comeback in a 45-43 Emerald City League win against Seattle Academy.

It was the Owls’ third straight win.

Overlake held a commanding 38-26 lead with eight minutes left to go, but Seattle Academy amped up its offense in the fourth and outscored Overlake, 17-7, but it still wasn’t enough.

For the second consecutive game, Overlake’s Jessica Elliott and Maya Marder led the offense, scoring 17 and 16 points, respectively, with Cardinal guard Makenzie Brandon leading all scorers with 21.

The win improved the Owls to 4-3 in 1A Emerald City league play and boosted its overall record to 6-4.