BAINBRIDGE – There’s nothing “junior” about the Bainbridge High junior varsity girls basketball team season record.

The Spartans have officially closed the book on an amazing season with a final team record of 18-1 after beating the visiting Lakeside Lions 24-18 on Friday, Feb. 7.

“We got up 11-0 in the first four minutes and then went on a cold streak,” said Spartan Head Coach Ian Havill of the team’s uncharacteristically low game score.

“Both teams had a hard time putting the ball in the basket,” he said. “Interestingly, the first four minutes was probably the best we have played.  Our press took them out of their game and got us some high quality shots.”

He added that to play through a lull like that and come away with a victory was just another sign of the team’s quality players.

“Good teams find a way to win even when they bring their B game to the gym,” he said.

The season was an impressive one for the JV girls, culminating in an exciting series of big wins last week.

On Tuesday, Feb. 4, the Spartans claimed a 31-20 win over Chief Sealth.

“Paulina Bredy led the team in scoring with nine points and also grabbed five rebounds,” Havill said. “Kamie Coryell had another solid performance  with four assists, four steals, and six rebounds.  Carly Lant put in eight points and grabbed seven boards.”

Prior to that, the ladies defeated Cleveland High 48-40. Coryell, Kiera Havill, Sophie Taylor and Natalie Beattie each scored nine points with multiple assists and rebounds.

The one and only flaw in the Spartan’s otherwise perfect season was a nail-biter of a game against Holy Names Academy.

“The only loss came in a great game against holy names and we lost by two points,” explained Havill. “From an effort standpoint, the girls played hard and fought every minute of the game.  Basketball is a game of mistakes and we made a couple more than they did that day. Holy Names deserved the win as much as we did.”

Havill said he was impressed with the players’ improved skills and confidence when compared to the season’s beginning.

“The girls have come a long way from the beginning of the season,” he said. “I remember our first practice clearly. We have improved our skills greatly.

“More importantly, I believe players have improved there ability to look beyond themselves and see how their behavior and effort level effects others on the team. When we work together and bring energy to the gym, players enjoy it more. We are able to get more repetitions and outwork our opponents,” Havill said.

“I’m very proud of them, they have come a long way.”