The girls’ varsity basketball team triumphed 37-29 against Tamalpais (Tam) in their most recent game on Tuesday, Jan. 16. Previously in the season, the Giants have defeated their MCAL opponents by 17 or more points. With a difference of eight points, Redwood’s win versus Tam was their first close game of the season and the Giants managed to perform with ten overall fouls.
When Tam defeated Redwood last year during the MCAL championship game, the Giants knew they had to step up their game and bounce back.
According to junior team captain Jenny Walker, some of Tam’s star players graduated last year, boosting Redwood’s confidence coming into the game. However, within the first five minutes, the Giants realized that the Hawks were tough competition. At halftime, Redwood only held onto a one point lead of 20-19.
New to the varsity team, sophomore Yessenia Mendieta experienced the Giants coming together to relieve tension and frustration.
“At the half, when we get back into the locker room, we automatically pump each other up. We start yelling, screaming. We try getting under each others skin, in order to get our heads back in the game,” Mendieta said.
Starting the third quarter leading 33-26, Redwood maintained aggressive defensive attacks, while still achieving points. According to MaxPreps, 16 of the total points were from Walker.
“We haven’t had a game that was close throughout the whole season. Playing a game that was close throughout the four quarters and not winning 20 ahead at the half was very different for us. We stayed
calm and in past years we used to freak out and lose our momentum and end up losing by 20 in the end. So today we really managed to stay calm and take everything play-by-play,” Walker said.
Looking back to last season, Walker believes this year’s team has an especially deep bench. She also claimed that this season the team strives to maintain the “family aspect” they developed last year.
“[This year] we’re really emphasizing not to be selfish. This is a team game. We’re in this together. We now have five great players on court every rotation, versus last year we had three. I personally know I can trust all the
players on court, [and] that when I am not doing well I can pass to them or vice versa,” Walker said.
Mendieta already sees the bond this team has developed together on and off the court. According to Mendieta, as a group they make sure everyone feels comfortable and tries to boost each other up.
“Coming from a different school, this team is new to me. They are all individually and collectively very welcoming. It has been nothing but a warm experience so far for me,” Mendieta said.
With only 12 games remaining in MCALs, the Giants look forward to finishing off their season strong.
“These past couple games we have kept on building and building, passing the ball and getting the extra pass. We’re getting a great shot over a good shot.,” Walker said.
Redwood’s next game is at home, Fri. 19 at 6 p.m. against Drake.
