Redmond High boys and girls teams are giving it their all on the court | Prep basketball

Published 11:39 am Friday, January 9, 2015

When the final buzzer sounded, Kevin Carpenter had amassed a career-high 35 points.

The Redmond High junior point guard was satisfied with his performance, but couldn’t reach overjoyed status since the Mustangs suffered a 72-66 loss to Issaquah on Dec. 19.

However, the 5-foot-8 Mustang found several positives during the game that he and his teammates can replicate to find success the rest of this season.

“I was just really aggressive. I was driving to the hoop,” said Carpenter, who made shots from inside and outside and drew fouls to put him on the free-throw line, as well. “But it’s more about the win … I just want to win.”

During an intense practice on Monday, coach Brian Lund offered two more keys to grabbing some victories: “Make every pass count” and “Make the other team run.”

At press time, Redmond hadn’t won a 4A Kingco game, but the Mustangs notched a pair of victories at the 2014 MaxPreps Holiday Classic in Palm Springs in late December that could fuel their fire in league play. Redmond defeated Lake Washington, 64-44, and San Bernardino, 65-56, at the tourney.

“Those two wins got us moving,” said 6-2 senior forward Jake Talbot. “We’re playing better as a team, playing better defense and passing the ball better.”

Talbot has been doing a lot of everything this year, including distributing the ball and snagging rebounds. He’s also focused on being a team leader.

“I’m just trying to help my team play better,” he said. “Trying to make them work harder — I demand them to work harder.”

Carpenter likes how the players have become close throughout the season and how the coaches trust them to put their philosophy into play. It’s not about being flashy, it’s about working hard, having confidence, listening to each other and learning along the way, he added.

GIRLS

Senior captains Sawyer Forseth (right in photo) and Morgan Grindell (left) have been making an impact on the 4A Kingco Conference this season in the 3-point-shooting and blocking departments.

At press time, shooting guard Forseth led the league with 20 treys and post Grindell is in the top five in swatting away shots.

On taking long-range jump shots, Forseth said: “It’s always been my thing. I’m more confident with my shooting than any other aspect of my game. I was always a shooter as a kid. I’m trying to push it. Get crazy.”

Added first-year Mustang coach Ashley Graham about Forseth: “She has energy and a passion for the game — you can see it on her face. She loves the game.”

Standing 5-10, Grindell enjoys being a menace to opposing shooters, but also thrives on taking shots and driving on offense in addition to her post work.

The Mustangs were 3-8 overall at press time and Grindell said her goal is “make every game count and to inspire the young girls” on the team.

Other Redmond standouts this season are Teagyn Ohrt, who averages about 10.5 points a game and had 20 points in a loss to Bothell; captain Sierra Craig, who leads the team well; and Kennedy Kieneker, who is intense on defense.

Playing together and getting to know their fellow Mustangs like family members are some of the highlights for Forseth and Grindell this season. They also like engaging in the community by helping players in the select and recreational basketball programs.

Graham, a former Mustang standout, has given the team a fresh start and boost in building a foundation for future Redmond squads, Forseth and Grindell said.

“We’re trying to improve every day, individually and as a team,” the coach added.