New Kent-Meridian High girls basketball coach Amanda Phelps takes a more conservative approach than the aggressive style of Royals boys coach Brian Lockhart as she hopes to wear her competition down with solid defense.
Phelps has moved up the ranks in the Royals coaching staff, taking over the top spot from her husband, DeForrest. Before becoming head coach she was an assistant coach for several years at Kent-Meridian and Juanita High School in Kirkland.
“It’s been a really smooth transition, a lot of them knew what style basketball I play,” Phelps says.
So far this season, the Royals beat Mountain View, of Vancouver, and lost to Hazen and Tahoma.
K-M comes off a difficult prior season, with a 1-13 record in the South Puget Sound League and a 2-16 record overall. Phelps hopes that a defensive play style and new talent will change that streak.
She sees sophomore center Savannah Lackey and junior guard Shanaya Baladad as good front-running players on the team this year.
“She’s (Baladad) that girl that will create plays, she’ll drive through the hole and create a shot,” Phelps says.
One of the key aspects that Phelps expects to work on will be the team’s endurance.
“They’ll play really great in spurts, half a quarter here or a full quarter. They just don’t play that well consistently,” Phelps says. “It’s an issue of both physical and mental endurance.
She’s trying to encourage the girls to focus more on the game than the scoreboard.
“Have a 0-0 mentality,” she says. “You’re not behind, you’re not ahead, you’re just playing a game of basketball.”
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Kentridge Chargers
Coach: Bob Sandall
League record last year: 12-4, qualified state
Overall record: 18-9
Starting returners: Alicia Dugan, Sr., 5-9; Bobbi Westendorf, Sr., 5-11; Jazmin Caliman, Sr., 5-7; Kiki Gilbert, Sr., 5-6; Natalie Clifton, Sr., 5-9
Top Newcomers: LaDrea Ford, Jr. 5-11; Morgan Gary, Fr., 5-9; Taylor Jenkins, So., 5-11
Team strengths: Experience. Return 8 seniors with lots of playoff experience.
Team outlook: Beamer is at the top of the league, followed by Kentlake, Tahoma and Kentridge
Editor’s Note: Look for a feature next week on the Kentridge girls team
Kent-Meridian Royals
Coach: Amanda Phelps, first year
League record last year: 1-13
Overall record: 2-16
Team outlook: Royals look to turn around last year’s losing season led by center Savannah Lackey and guard Shanaya Baladad
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