New coach to guide Kent-Meridian girls | Prep basketball preview

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.

Kent-Meridian senior Bria Reed scrambles for the ball against Hazen.

Kent-Meridian senior Bria Reed scrambles for the ball against Hazen.

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.”

=====

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

 


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in Sports

Graphic provided by Kent School District.
Athlete of the Week for Nov. 22: Kentwood

Nick Greutman (tennis) and Rowan Parsons (swim and dive) take home this weeks honors.

Kentridge senior Sierra Wallace dribbles the ball against Woodinville. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Kentridge girls soccer falls 4-0 in state

Chargers make round of eight for second time ever and run into Woodinville buzzsaw.

Senior running back Antoine Lee avoids a Trojan defender early in the game against Auburn. Ben Ray / The Reporter
4A NPSL all-league football teams announced

Kentwood’s Antoine Lee named Offensive Player of the Year.

Photo provided by Kent School District.
Kent Reporter Athletes of the Week: Kentridge

Addison Stendera and Riley Tricas take home this weeks awards.

Makenna Bennett in action against Tahoma back on Oct. 22 at Kentridge. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Kentridge girls soccer advances to state

Chargers make state for second consecutive year, take on Wenatchee.

Provided by Kent School District
Kent Reporter Coach of the Month: Shawna Behrens

Behrens is in her 16th year of coaching and coaches three sports at Kentlake.

Photo provided by Kent School District.
Kent Reporter Athletes of the Week: Kentwood

Kentwood senior Maimuna Kora (volleyball) and junior Nebay Kidane (cross country) take home awards.

Zoey Sling wins a challenge against Tahoma late in the second half. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Soccer: Chargers draw level with Tahoma 1-1

Kentridge remains unbeaten and eyes league title with two games remaining.

Kentlake’s Lauren Tripp attempts to clear a ball inside the Kentlake defensive third. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Kentlake girls soccer falls to Decatur 4-0

Falcons held scoreless for first time all season, but aim for postseason.

Senior linebacker Chuka Savini lead the Kentwood defense on a huge stand in the fourth quarter against Auburn. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Football: Kentwood outlasts Auburn in shootout 46-44

Antoine Lee records five touchdowns in the win for the Conks.

t
Former Kentwood High star Vandersloot wins 2nd WNBA championship

Courtney Vandersloot takes title with New York Liberty after winning crown in 2021 with Chicago Sky

Kentwood senior Aly Skagen with a tip over the net for the Conks. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Kentwood volleyball sweeps Stadium, moves into playoff position

Conks currently sit in fifth place in the NPSL.