Prep watch: Redmon and Olgard top ‘impact freshmen’
Dec. 29: A question was posed to Prep Report wondering who were the “impact freshmen” I wrote about earlier and how would I rank them?
These frosh played extensively for their respective teams this year. This is the way I would rank them:
Nos. 1-2 – take your pick depending upon if you have an inside-out or outside-in philosophy of the game. Both, point guard Jazmine Redmon and 6-foot-5 post Alexis Olgard play for Mead. Olgard’s size poses a defensive dilemma for opponents. Agile for someone her size and youth, she was a major contributor to the Panther’s volleyball state title. (If I were a college coach, I’d get an inside edge by promising her the chance to play both sports. Because she can play both sports). Redmon has gained confidence as she’s become more comfortable playing varsity and is a leading Mead scorer.
No. 3 – Dakota Schiermeister, University. Running the point for a team expected to make another run at the Greater Spokane League title.
No. 4 – Korina Baker, Mt. Spokane. Since getting eligible after the move from Freeman School District, she’s averaged double figures on a young team.
No. 5 – Kelsey Matthews, Central Valley. Good long-range shooter who worked her way into the starting lineup. She is one of nine freshmen or sophomores comprising the Bears lineup.
No. 6 – Kristina Puthoff, Mead. Twice a double figures scorer, she is front-line sub for a Panthers team with a huge future.
No. 7 – Daisy Burke, Lewis and Clark. She comes off the bench and contributes valuable minutes for the defending state champions.
No. 8 – Zoe Scott, University. Another front-line sub playing for last year’s state third-placers.
No. 9 – Mariah Alexander, North Central. A vital contributor for the Indians.
Denied, but not denied
Dec. 28: Nick Gaebe‘s apparent game-winning tip-in, that appeared to leave his hand just before the game-ending buzzer, was waved off.
But Zack Humphrey made his sixth 3-point basket to open overtime and Anthony Brown made his third awhile later during Shadle Park’s 66-57 win over Mead that tied the teams for second place last Friday.
“Brown’s 3-pointer in the corner was just a dagger,” said Panthers coach Glenn Williams. “He’s really improved his outside shot.”
As for Humphrey, he scored a game-high 29 points despite not scoring until 4:43 had elapsed in the game and being shut out in the fourth quarter. He hit 5-of-6 shots in the first half, four of them 3-pointers.
“There’s no distance that Zack won’t shoot from,” said Williams. “You want the kids to know they have to guard him when he crosses half court. The other part is he’s so far out it’s just a natural response that I don’t really have to get there.”
Mead led 18-11, making 8-of-11 shots from the field. Then the Panthers went scoreless for over 7 minutes and trailed 28-18.
Mead caught up with defensive pressure in the final four minutes of the third period to lead 43-42 and the game became a barn-burner. It was tied five times in the final quarter and no more than two points separated either team.
“That was a huge win,” said Shadle coach Tim Gaebe, “coming off the Mt. Spokane loss and know we needed to win this game for a chance as the top one or two teams and an automatic berth into the regionals.”
The GSL reached its mid-point on Tuesday and Ferris (9-0) was undefeated.
Shadle Park and Mead (both 7-2) were followed by Gonzaga Prep and Mt. Spokane (tied at 5-3). The Panthers play the Saxons on Friday.
How GSL girls stand
Dec. 29: League leaders Lewis and Clark (9-0) and University (9-1) cruised. Behind them, Mead (7-2) and Shadle Park (5-4) proved that not much separated them, the Panthers needing a 19-8 fourth-quarter outburst for a 51-43 win. And Gonzaga Prep (5-3) jumped into fourth place with a 44-41 win over Ferris (5-4). The Bullpups played the Highlanders on Tuesday.