It was a busy week in Redmond sports as students from across the city represented their schools on the court.
In girls basketball, the Redmond Mustangs cruised to a 68-48 victory against the Mercer Island Islanders on Feb. 3 in the first round of the KingCo 3A playoffs at Redmond High School.
The Mustangs will face the Bellevue Wolverines at 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 7 Newport High School in Factoria.
In boys basketball, the Lake Washington Kangaroos defeated the Redmond Mustangs 55-36 in a loser-out, KingCo 3A playoff game on Feb. 2 at Lake Washington High School in Kirkland.
Redmond finished the 2017-18 season with an overall record of 8-13.
Redmond took second at the KingCo 3A wrestling tournament.
The Juanita Rebels wrestling squad captured first place at the KingCo 3A wrestling tournament on Feb. 3 at North Creek High School in Bothell.
Juanita, which compiled 141.5 team points, advanced six of their wrestlers to championship matches. Redmond finished in second place with 140.5 team points.
When it was all over Redmond Mustangs wrestler Carson Lui enjoyed a post-match slice of pizza following one of the biggest victories of his high school wrestling career.
Lui earned a 9-0 win against Interlake’s Lucas Varela in the KingCo 3A 160-pound title match on Feb. 3 at North Creek High School. Lui, who competes on the Mustangs football and track teams as well, was jovial following his victory against Varela.
“It is pretty big for me. Last year I got fourth place so I was only an alternate to regionals. This is definitely a big step up from last year,” Lui explained.
Lui said competing on the track and football teams gives him an advantage on the mat.
“I don’t have much of an off-season. Track helps with the speed and football helps with the strength,” Lui said. “Obviously my goal is to see how far I can go. I definitely want to make it to state (tournament).”
Throughout the 2017-18 season the Redmond Mustangs have dominated their opponents on the mat, compiling an overall record of 12-1 in dual meets.
Redmond 145-pound junior wrestler Jeremy Hernandez believes the competition created in the Mustangs mat room drives the success of the program. Hernandez, who captured fourth place last season at the Mat Classic Class 3A state tournament in the 145-pound division as a sophomore, cruised to a 15-3 win against teammate Josh Medvinsky in the Class 3A KingCo 145-pound championship match on Feb. 3 at North Creek High School. Hernandez wasn’t surprised to face Medvinsky in the finals.
“The competition we have, that is what pushes us to the next level and that is what gets people to state (tournament). Our teammates just push each other,” Hernandez said. “Our competition in our division is us.”
Hernandez wants to improve upon last season’s fourth place finish at the Tacoma Dome.
“It is really just about improvement. This year I at least want to be a state finalist. It is baby steps and that could get me to become a state champion,” Hernandez said.