Ben Eisenhart and Kirsten Michael look to make their mark.

When it comes to crunch time in a crucial contest in the next few months – be it a league game or in the Metro, district or even state tournament – everyone on the Spartan hoops squads will be counted on to contribute.

Two first-year varsity players, both sophomores, are ready when the call comes.

Ben Eisenhardt, the only sophomore on the Spartan boys’ team, can set up as a wing or post player and contribute with his 6-10 height on a team that isn’t short on it.

Kirsten Michael, a 5-8 guard with a natural ability to handle the rock and a good jumpshot, can sub in at the point and the Spartan girls team won’t lose anything when starter Caitlyn Salo exits the game.

Michael has been playing with a basketball in her hand since she was just 2 years old.

“Ever since I got into high school, it’s been basketball,” Michael said, who also played softball and soccer in middle school, but dropped the sports to focus on the hardwood.

“(Basketball) has more of a faster pace,” she said. “(In) soccer, it’s a big field but you’re (not) always running. Softball was just too slow.”

Like Eisen­hardt, she has drawn the eye of coaches since joining the Spartan program.

“She had a major impact with the JV team last year,” girls head coach Penny Gienger said of Michael. “She did a really good job controlling the offense there.”

In her first varsity action this year, Michael has contributed a steady hand at guard when she comes in off the bench, providing needed depth.

“She’s a good backup point guard,” Gienger said. “I think spending a year on the JV team when she was controlling the floor was good for her.”

“She’s played some games (early in the season) where she was tentative, but she’s got a good head. She just has to go out and do it.”

Eisenhardt has been working on his game since age 3, and has also given up other sports to concentrate on hoops.

“I played soccer and baseball and even tennis for a while, but I stopped in the sixth grade just to focus on basketball,” he said. “I’ve never really had a growth spurt. I’ve just grown three or four inches every year.”

Eisenhardt’s move up to the varsity team this season came because he earned it, boys coach Scott Orness said.

“The only reason we’ll take a freshman or sophomore on the varsity is that we know he’s going to be in the rotation,” said Orness, who brought him up from the C-team. “To have good ‘big’ players is a rarity these days.

“Ben came out and had a really big summer with us. He was really aggressive and we were really pleased with his performance.”

While both players knew they would make varsity this season – they were told before the summer league got under way – it was still exciting.

“When it happened, I couldn’t believe it until I was actually playing,” Michael said. “I was like, ‘No, I’m not playing.’”

Eisenhardt was worried about fitting in since the varsity team had played together for a while.

But, he said, “ever since they’ve welcomed me in, it’s been great. I treat all of them as my brothers.”

Both players have grown up with handed-down knowledge of the game. Michael’s dad was a guard during his time in high school in Alaska, while her older brother played as well.

Eisenhardt’s dad played at Roosevelt High School in Seattle and at the D-III level in college.

“He helped me out when I felt like I wasn’t doing very well,” Michael said. “He would always encourage me.”

It’s that encouragement and the hard work displayed by both players that have helped them break into the rotation to get consistent minutes on the floor.

Eisenhardt has contributed points and defense in the paint when needed – even playing through injuries to get the job done.

He broke his nose on the first day of practice, but wore a protective mask for a few weeks to keep him from missing any time.

He also sprained his ankle recently, but was able to play through it on the court.

The nagging injuries follow a bout with tendinitis in his knees that plagued him for most of his freshman year, but Eisenhardt gave credit to the coaching staff for keeping him in the game.

“It’s nice to have Stu around,” he said, referring to assistant coach Stuart Mitchell who also works as a physical therapist at New Motion Therapy. “We’re really lucky to have him because that’s his job.

“It was a little frustrating when I sprained my ankle, but luckily the power was out so I didn’t miss anything,” he joked.

Orness likes Eisenhardt’s size, obviously, but also likes his attitude and amiable personality.

“There is a big learning curve with how hard we work and the practices and the hours, but the good thing is, Ben is a solid human being,” Orness said.

“He’s the type of kid that looks you in the eye when you talk to him and really tries to make himself better day in and day out.”

With Metro League play under way, both know that they will be counted on to make plays at a crucial moment – and they’ll be ready.

“I think I’m prepared for that because when I go against Coby Gibler (in practice), there’s not going to be another big man like that,” Eisenhardt said.

Michael, too, just wants to get into the game.

“On the bench I get worried when I’m watching, but out on the court I really don’t know what I’m doing, I’m just doing it,” she said. “I don’t get worried on the court, just on the bench.”