With the loss of a couple of standout seniors and bringing a new coach in Bill Mead into the fold with a roster of four underclassmen, there was an unknown quantity surrounding the South Wasco County program in the 2014-2015 campaign.
Even after a slow start, the Redsides won four of their last five games and advanced to the Big Sky Conference district play-in game against Sherman this past Wednesday.
Although the year ended in a 30-22 loss to the Lady Huskies, the Redsides have a lot to hang their hat on.
“Being a new coach and bringing in a new system, they bought into it towards the end of the season and we started winning some games,” Mead said.
At one point in the regular season, the Resides had a record of 3-14, with four multiple-game losing streaks.
After a 56-46 loss to top-10 ranked Dufur on Jan. 31, South Wasco County appeared to flip the proverbial switch in the last month.
“We just got really mad at losing,” said senior point guard Peggy Espeland. “We got tired of losing and just came out and started playing better in everything.”
The first win in the turnaround came on Feb. 6 against Sherman, as Ally Muhleman, Molly Foreaker and Roxanne O’Neal combined for 16 points in the fourth quarter, as the Redsides battled back from a 22-13 halftime deficit with a 39-22 second-half rally to pull off a 52-44 triumph.
SWC then lost to No. 4 Condon-Wheeler, but restored order with consecutive wins over Mitchell-Spray, Ione and Horizon Christian to punch a district play-in qualification.
“I think what finally made us gel together was that we relaxed,” Foreaker said. “We stopped putting pressure on ourselves to win, and simply played the game of basketball. When we all enjoy ourselves out there on the court, every little thing clicks.”
All told, the Redsides ended up with a 7-17 record and went 5-9 during league action for sixth place.
SWC averaged 33.5 points a clip and allowed 40 a game.
In their last seven games of the year, the Redsides dropped 41 points a game.
“In the beginning, we all talked about just playing our best to see how it goes,” Espeland said. “And then next thing you know, we were here in districts. It was awesome to see this team play like we did. We were 3-15 or whatever it was and we decided to come to districts. I don’t how this happened, but we made it. I am so proud.”
One area Mead was able to lean on was senior leadership.
Along with Espeland and Foreaker, Shelby Moody contributed some big minutes, Roxanne O’Neal always had the penchant for delivering big shots and Lisa McNamee and Paris McCartney added a physical presence down on the blocks.
On and off the court, those elder statesmen made sure to practice what they preached in the realm of both citizenship and conduct.
“To me, being a Redside means accountability, diligence, being relentless, and heart for the game,” Foreaker said. “I wouldn’t give up having been a Redside for anything.”
Mead said the seniors would be missed next year.
Just Tatum Hahn and Cassie Davis will represent the senior core as returning veterans.
Muhleman, Malia Collins, Allie Noland, Kiana Moody and a slew of talented incoming freshmen will add a scoring dimension, depth and skill to the court for Mead and assistant, Randy Barton.
SWC increased its scoring output this past year, but man-to-man defense kept the team in several games.
Through 24 contests, the Lady Redsides allowed 31 points or less eight times. In seven wins, SWC allowed 30.5 points a clip.
SWC loses some height in the front court and has just Muhleman and Collins measuring 5-foot-7 inches.
So speed, pressure defense and transition baskets are going to be relied on heavily next year.
“The thing is there is a core of girls that now know the system,” Mead said. “We don’t have to start over, so that is big. We can just build from here and just keep building and building instead of starting clear over with this group of girls.”
From afar, Foreaker will be the team’s biggest cheerleader.
She has experienced a lot of great moments as a Redside through her career and she is hoping her tidbits of knowledge were soaked up by her teammates.
She feels this core has the potential to earn a trip to Baker City in the future.
“My message to the younger girls is two things,” Foreaker said. “Hard work absolutely, positively always pays off. There is no goal that you cannot accomplish if you work and push yourself to get there. Being a leader does not mean you lead 100 percent of the time. A good leader knows when to step down and be led. Being willing to improve yourself will take you far in life.”
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