Medical Lake's Charde Luat, pictured here against Liberty, was sidelined for a few weeks with an ankle injury.
MEDICAL LAKE - Cardinal girls basketball Coach Yeta Holloway likes to think with a little more time that his first season guiding the team might have been just a bit better.
Elevated to the girls' job in mid-summer following moves among existing staff, this year's Cardinals had an 8-0 start and won nine of their first 10. They doubled overall win totals, finishing 14-11 before star Charde Luat was sidelined for a few weeks with an ankle injury.
Medical Lake andLuat recovered enough to reach the playoffs where, playing shorthanded, were eliminated by state tournament quarter-finalist Cashmere.
"I've been behind schedule since I got the job," which did not allow Holloway to fully evaluate things he said.
Going into 2024-25, "I know who the players are, I know what their strengths and weaknesses are," Holloway said. "So, we can work on those things."
One element of the team that needed no study or introduction was Luat, a senior and prior two-time All-Northeast A League talent.
There's both bad and good with Luat, the obvious being losing here double-figure scoring that has anchored the Cardinals for three seasons.
"Because of her talent and skill, (ML) players really depended on her to get us out of trouble," Holloway explained. When she was injured Medical Lake went winless over five games.
Conversely, other teams schemed to stop Luat, double-team and her or whatnot, Holloway said. Like the team that had defenders clasp hands to keep her from advancing or passing the ball, Holloway said in astonishment.
Holloway's thinks the next edition of the team will be better able to improve their various skill sets.
"They will play a lot more team basketball, rather than focusing on one player as being the playmaker," he explained. "I think we're going to be a better team next year; we're not gonna' be a better talented team."
Basketball is likely in Luat's future, just not exactly where her coach said.
One player who knows where she is headed is Delaney Gunther, off to NAIA Walla Walla University. Holloway pointed to Gunther's defensive skills as a true value to her team.
Gunther put in a great deal of over-and-above work with trainers and Holloway with shooting skills. "I know she's gonna' have a really good career at Walla Walla," Holloway predicted.
Another senior, Chiche Okembo, has her eyes on the track season ahead where last year she qualified in five events at state.
A fourth senior, Emma Heinemann, transferred in from Reardan and it took a while for her to get acclimated to so much new in her basketball life.
"She really started coming on to the tail end of the season," Holloway, particularly on defense where her strengths were working the weak - or left - side of the floor.
Then came a season-ending knee injury and subsequent surgery for Heinemann.
As for the future three juniors turn seniors with Adasha Gardner, Chloe Parsons and Baylee Bahr are to carry the weight.
It will be helpful to have a full offseason to tinker with their skill sets, "Because they're gonna' lead us next year," Holloway said.
That trio, plus a pair of freshmen this year - Addison Hammel and Jocee Bryant - are who Holloway sees with bright and impactful futures with the Cardinals.
"I really expect them to really step into their own their sophomore year," Holloway said.
While careful with any public statements, Holloway will predict that in their junior seasons, "We're going to be really good."
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