Although new Redmond High girls’ basketball head coach Sara Goldie is entering her first year at the helm of the program, she is anything but new to the sport.

The 30-year-old comes from a basketball family, with both her parents playing for nine years on the Iranian national team during the 1960s and 70s. Goldie herself played for Eastlake High School, making two state-tournament appearances in her junior and senior years before beginning an 11-year coaching career on the staff at Evergreen Junior High, East Valley-Yakima, Redmond and Eastlake High Schools.

Goldie has embraced the challenge of the head coach position and says that the Mustangs are a perfect fit for her.

“I absolutely love it,” she said. “It’s such a great program to be a part of, great people and community. The biggest challenge is that I have an 18-month-old (son Payton), so just balancing that and (coaching), which is what I love to do.”

SENIOR STARTERS

Fortunately for Goldie, former head coach Dennis Edwards stayed on staff as a volunteer assistant to help her learn the ropes and get to know her players, many of which Edwards has worked with since they were in grade school.

“We really like her so far,” said team captain Chandler Jones of Goldie. “We’re trying to get used to everything; we’ve had Dennis (Edwards) since the sixth grade … but it’s just fun because (Goldie) has adapted to us as well as we’ve adapted to her.”

Making Goldie’s transition easier is an experienced crew of seniors with a myriad of talents.

Jones’ natural leadership makes her a great fit at the point guard position. Jones’ backcourt teammate, guard Kailan Kalina, is a great shooter making for a potent guard combination.

“She’s the captain, and has fantastic leadership abilities on and off the court,” Goldie remarked of Jones. “I really look to her to be my eyes and ears on the court and run the show.”

Jones and Kalina will be flanked by versatile forward Katie Whitaker and 6-foot-4 post Marissa Pratt, who followed up a 21-point barrage against No. 7-ranked Issaquah with a 15-point performance against Newport. Through four games this season, Pratt is 10th in the league in scoring at 13.0 points per game, with Jones’ career-high 29 points against Inglemoor on Wednesday vaulting her into third at 17.5 points per game.

Add to that group several capable underclassmen, and the Mustangs have a group that looks to do great things this winter, despite a rough beginning that saw them lose their opening game to Juanita on a buzzer-beater. Three more losses followed against Newport, Issaquah, and Inglemoor, which are a combined 15-1 this year.

“The girls have responded so well,” Goldie said. “It’s been rough… but we rebounded and played Issaquah really well. We did our best and improved significantly. We had a fantastic practice after the Newport game on Saturday, and that’s really all you can ask the kids for.”

PUSHING FOR THE PLAYOFFS

The Mustangs’ tough December schedule and subsequent 0-4 start led Goldie to push for small victories and really focus on taking the season one game of the time, with the ultimate goal of securing a coveted playoff berth.

“Baby steps” for a coach recently blessed with a young son, who is now learning to walk on his own.

“It’s a very tough league,” said Goldie when asked about the strength of 4A Kingco. “The key to success will be doing the little things. Our theme this year is 212 degrees, in that water is just hot at 211, but at 212 it’s boiling. Just that extra degree of effort makes all the difference.”

The players are confident they can bounce back from a cold start and heat up as the season progresses.

“We all know each other really well, what each other does,” said Jones on her teammates, most of whom she’s played with since junior high. “If someone’s a good outside shooter, if they’re going to be hittin’, you can tell. We’ve really adapted to each other.”

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GIRLS’ BASKETBALL AT A GLANCE

REDMOND HIGH

• Coach: Sara Goldie, 1st season

• Last season: 8-8 4A Kingco Crest Division (9th place), 11-9 overall

• 2009 turnout: 23

TOP RETURNERS

• Sr. Chandler Jones, point guard: Team captain is a leader on the floor and has a great three-point shot.

• Sr. Marissa Pratt, post: One of Kingco’s tallest girls at 6-foot-4, she is a presence in the paint.

• Sr. Kailan Kalina, guard: One of four senior returners is a smart player and adds depth to the Mustangs’ perimeter shooting.

• Sr. Katie Whitaker, forward: Goldie calls her the “most versatile player” inside and out.

• Jr. Jordan Ohrt, post: Great jump shot, and very aggressive going after rebounds.

• Jr. Stacey Kimball, point guard: The team’s backup point guard shines on defense.

KEY NEWCOMERS

• Sr. Jessica Bushmeyer, Jr. Makayla Walker: Pair of guards exhibit great defense and are very athletic.

• Jr. Hannah Lee, guard: Solid outside shooter possesses great basketball sense on the court.

• Sr. Lexie Yoder, forward: Solid defender and rebounder brings a great attitude to practices and games

• Sr. Jane Glass, forward: Senior returns after taking last year off. Good rebounder and defender.

KEY GAME

• Friday, Jan. 22 at Issaquah: The Eagles, who return several players, are coming off a state tournament appearance. “They are quick, play fantastic pressure defense and are well-coached,” Goldie said.

DID YOU KNOW?

The Redmond High girls’ team currently has five players who have gone on to play at the collegiate level or higher: Ashley Graham (pro in Ukraine), Erika Edwards (senior, Sacramento State University), Mary Petrie (sophomore, Sacramento State University), Courtney Martin (freshman, Western Oregon University) and Alicia Valentine (freshman, Northwest Junior College-Wyoming).

QUOTABLE

“We are hoping to be a smarter, more mature basketball team this year, as we are returning 7 players from last year’s team. With the senior leadership of Chandler Jones and Marissa Pratt (2 starting returners) we hope to grow on our traditions and experience. We have been working incredibly hard over this past spring, summer and fall resulting in a quicker, more athletic team. We have had record numbers of kids showing their commitment to the program by attending open gyms and conditioning sessions this fall. You will see a much more up-tempo defense, more transition offense and great teamwork.” — Mustangs’ coach Sara Goldie

OVERLAKE SCHOOL

• Coach: Sara Wilcox, 2nd season

• Last season: 8-6 1A Emerald City League (3rd place), 9-11 overall

• 2009 turnout: 16

TOP RETURNERS

• Sr. Jessica Elliott, forward: Team’s top scorer is versatile, a leader, and communicates well on the floor. Coach calls her a “go to” player in every category.

• Sr. Maya Marder, point guard: Second team all-league last year, leads by example and is a great defender. Always a threat to steal and create turnovers. “She is the quarterback on the floor, directing traffic and finding the open man,” said Coach Wilcox.

• Sr. Alison Havran, post: Has improved greatly since last season, learning the game and becoming more well-rounded. Coach says, “Her presence on the inside will disrupt an offense and will definitely open up opportunities for our team on offense.”

KEY NEWCOMERS

• Fr. Vanessa Rosato, forward: Young but enthusiastic player understands the magnitude of playing at the varsity level. A hard worker who has great role models in the team’s senior leaders.

KEY GAMES

• Tuesday, February 2 vs. Bellevue Christian: The Vikings are a true powerhouse in 1A basketball and will be a tough test and intense matchup for the Owls coming down the stretch.

• Tuesday, February 9 vs. Cedar Park Christian: A rivalry has formed with Cedar Park after the Eagles knocked the Owls out of the playoffs last season. Overlake had won their previous two matchups.

DID YOU KNOW?

Coach Wilcox is a recent graduate of Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma and played two years there.

QUOTABLE

“I feel that we have an amazing opportunity this year. We have four solid seniors who have been around worked hard the past few years to improve and grow as basketball players. As we have more opportunities to build our chemistry and work together, I truly believe that we will move grow and reach the potential we have. Look out Emerald City, here we come.” — Owls’ coach Sara Wilcox

BEAR CREEK SCHOOL

• Coach: Alan Dickson, 2nd year at Bear Creek, 33rd overall

• Last season: 7-8 Sea-Tac 2B League, 7-13 overall

• 2009 turnout: 14 players

TOP RETURNERS

• Sr. Tajel Mehta, post: All-league selection last season and team’s co-captain is a leader and presence in the paint.

• Sr. Megan Cheever, guard: Co-captain is solid from long-range, 31 three-pointers last season led the team.

• Sophs. Maddie Magee, Kendall Engelstone, Nikki Peterson, Morgan Rial: Quartet of returning starters got valuable experience as freshmen and look to build the program into the future.

KEY NEWCOMERS

• Fr. Ariel Buchanan, guard: Very quick, good defender.

• Fr. Elisabetta Udeschini, post: Six-foot freshman is a solid rebounder and inside player.

KEY GAME

• Friday, January 8 vs. Seattle Lutheran: The Saints are always a tough basketball matchup at the 2B level; the Saints return a lot of experience from last year’s squad.

DID YOU KNOW?

Coach Dickson has a coached a total of 25 players in his career who have gone on to play college or professional basketball, all from Monroe High School.

QUOTABLE

“We look promising. They should be more versed in ‘Dickson’s Motion Offense’ and a year of experience for our sophomores is valuable.” — Grizzlies’ coach Alan Dickson