Last year’s Redmond Mustangs girls basketball team went as far as they could possibly go without reaching the big dance – the Class 4A state tournament.
After losing early at the Sea-King District tournament, they rallied and won three straight loser-out games against Lake Washington, Roosevelt and Eastlake before finally succumbing to Skyview, 58-32, in the winner-to-state, loser-out pigtail game.
After being so close for the past several seasons, head coach Dennis Edwards said he believes his playoff-proven team can finally go dancing this season.
A SOLID SQUAD
The Mustangs return one of the best players in Kingco, last year’s leading scorer and first-team all-conference player Courtney Martin, and have quite a presence down low with 6-foot-4 post Melissa Pratt.
Senior team captain Alicia Valentine, at 5-foot-4, is a quick and energetic point guard, coming off a great season where she averaged nearly seven points per game, including scoring a season-high 20 during the Mustangs’ final playoff win against Eastlake.
“The girls had a great summer playing ball,” Edwards said. “Melissa being 6-4 in the middle is going to be a force for us, and it’s nice having the leading scorer in Kingco back in Courtney Martin, she’s been working real hard.”
Returning to the lineup will be guard Kaitlyn Parrott, who was sidelined for the early part of last season with a rib injury. After a speedy recovery from surgery, she came back to lead the team’s defensive effort with her incredible speed.
“She’s by far the quickest kid on the court,” Edwards marveled. “She’s a 100-yard track runner, so she’s fast.”
Providing reliability off the bench will be newcomer Jordyn Ohrt, an athletic 6-foot sophomore forward who impressed coaches during tryouts. Edwards said she might get a chance to start some games this year.
Although the team’s attrition numbers are down from recent years, as only 19 players tried out this season when the usual is in the mid-20s, Edwards said he believes that this year’s team may actually be the deepest talent-wise the program has seen in a while.
“In years past, we had three or four kids that we could count on, I think this year we’re looking at seven or eight,” Edwards said. “It’s going to be nice to have a little more depth on the bench. We have some kids who could really help us out if we get in foul trouble. In the past, if we got in foul trouble, we were desperate.”
DOUBLE WIN
In forming goals for their 2008-09 campaign, Edwards talked about the “double-win,” which he terms as a win on the scoreboard as well as feeling good about the team, that they gave it their all during every minute of play.
“We want to get to the state tournament, of course, that’s our number one goal,” Edwards said. “But we want to do what we can to get the best effort out of our kids every day, every game. If we can do that, I think we’re going to be pretty happy.”
For a program steeped in a winning tradition, the Mustangs have been through some trying times lately. Over the past 10 years the team has been to the state tournament six times, yet none of the players on this year’s varsity roster have made the trip. Redmond’s last state appearance was in 2005, when they were ousted in the first round by University, 70-43.
“The history here in the last 10 years is pretty awesome,” Edwards noted. “It does cycle through a bit, and right now we’re looking a little bit stronger. I think our chances are a lot better than they have been in the last couple years.”
One obstacle in the Mustangs’ way will be the new 4A Kingco alignment, which bring in a host of tough 3A schools as newfound foes. Edwards cited Issaquah, Eastlake, Skyline and Newport as strong teams in the league, not to mention the powerhouse programs that already existed in Kingco.
“Our division is tough… and Garfield, we know they reloaded so they’re going to be very good,” he said.
The players, however, believe that this Mustang team may be the strongest in many seasons. If that turns out to be the case, look for the green and gold to make a deep run in the postseason, and finally earn that coveted state berth.
“For the team, we definitely want to get that trip to state, it’s something Redmond hasn’t seen in a while.” said Valentine.
GIRLS’ BASKETBALL AT A GLANCE
REDMOND MUSTANGS
• Coach: Dennis Edwards, third season.
• Last season: 18-8 overall; 15-6 in 4A Kingco; finished third in Mountain Division.
• Turnout: 19.
TOP RETURNERS
• Sr. Courtney Martin, 5-11 forward: Leading scorer in Kingco last year; all-conference first team player will lead the Mustangs’ offensive charge.
• Sr. Alicia Valentine, 5-4 point guard: Peppy team captain is an “awesome defensive specialist,” according to Edwards.
• Sr. Kaitlyn Parrott, 5-7 guard: Great all-around athlete missed the early part of last season, but made incredible recovery from rib surgery to lead the team’s defensive effort.
• Jr. Marissa Pratt, 6-4 forward: One of the tallest players in Kingco will be a formidable presence down low; great shot blocker.
• Jr. Chandler Jones, 5-9 guard: “Great passer and shooter” according to Edwards, started 75 percent of games last year.
KEY NEWCOMERS
• Soph. Jordyn Ohrt, 6-0 forward: Runs the court well and should contribute immediately.
• Soph. Stacey Kimball, 5-3 guard: Outstanding athlete will provide depth off the bench.
KEY GAMES
• Friday, Dec. 10: vs. Issaquah: With many of the Eagles’ 6-foot-plus volleyball players playing the hardwood as well, the Mustangs will have their hands full in their season opener.
• Friday, Feb. 6 vs Garfield: Home match against perennial league favorite Garfield will be big test as the Mustangs make a push toward the postseason.
DID YOU KNOW?
The Mustangs have two graduates currently playing college ball: Erika Edwards, a 2006 graduate, is currently a junior at Division-I Sacramento State University, and Mary Petrie, who graduated in June, is a freshman at Division-III Chapman University in Orange County, Calif.
THE OVERLAKE SCHOOL OWLS
• Coach: Sara Wilcox, first year
• Last season: 14-5 overall; 11-5 in 1A Emerald City League, finished third in league.
• Turnout: 19.
TOP RETURNERS
• Jr. Jessica Elliott, 5-10 forward: Three-year varsity player is very quick and a strong post player.
• Jr. Maya Marder, 5-0 point guard: Leader on and off the court, she is eager to get back on the court after injury kept her away last year. Excellent ball-handler.
• Sr. Alex Mackenzie, 5-9 forward: Team’s only four-year varsity returner is a strong defender and handles the ball well.
KEY NEWCOMERS
• Sr. Christina Nordin, 5-8 G/F and Sr. Christine Eaton, 5-7 G/F: Soccer stars for Overlake decided to try out for basketball this year. Their athleticism and speed will bolster the Owls’ depth down low.
KEY GAME
• Jan. 20 vs. Seattle Academy: Huge game against defending league champions. The Owls depart on a five-game road trip after this matchup, a win against the Cardinals will set the team in good spirits heading into enemy territory.
COACH’S QUOTE:
“This season is full of change. With graduating five seniors last year and returning only five, we are a brand new team. The style of play has changed with this group and therefore we have a lot to work on. The attitude going into this season is positive and optimistic. Our current strengths are our quickness and coachable attitudes. We have the potential to be a strong program again this year.”
THE BEAR CREEK SCHOOL GRIZZLIES
• Coach: Alan Dickson, first year
• Last season: 12-10 overall, 7-4 in Sea-Tac 2B League
• Turnout: 10.
TOP RETURNERS
• Jr. Megan Cheever, 5-8 guard: Great shooter is always a threat from the outside. Averaged 8 points per game last year with limited playing time.
• Jr. Tajel Mehta, 5-11 forward: Solid post player will lead the rebounding effort for the Grizzlies.
KEY NEWCOMER
• Fr. Nikki Peterson, 5-9 guard: Extremely versatile player can perform at all five positions. One of four quality freshmen that will be the future of the program.
KEY GAMES
• Dec. 9 vs. Northwest Yeshiva: League opener is against an evenly-matched team that finished with an identical league record last season. Win here would boost the Grizzlies’ confidence going into conference play.
• Jan. 24 vs. King’s West: The Warriors were perfect last year in league play and have reloaded. Will be interesting to see how much of a fight the short-handed Grizzlies can put up against the defending champions as they seek a postseason berth.
DID YOU KNOW?
The Grizzlies have two former basketball players competing in sports other than hoops. Four-sport star Kimi Pohlman is playing softball at the University of Washington, while Cara Linnenkohl is rowing at the University of Virginia.
