MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Mavericks junior varsity squad (12-0) is off to an undefeated start this season. Head coach Ryan Carlstrom said team chemistry has played a role in their success this year.   

“We have two additional juniors on the JV team who were part of the program last year, but for the most part, it's almost the exact same freshman team as last year,” Carlstrom said. “They've had to blend in with this group of players who (have) been playing together for a long time, but they've done nothing but add to this group of players who are a pretty skilled group of kids and hard workers, and they've made my job very easy for the last couple of years.”   

Their most recent win comes against the West Valley (Yakima) Rams, defending home court 55-46. Carlstrom said it was one of the toughest challenges they faced so far this season. They were evenly matched talent-wise, and the game remained closely contested or tied throughout.   

After trailing by eight points at halftime, the Mavericks climbed their way back into the game towards the end of the fourth quarter. Ultimately, a trio of three-pointers by Deandre Christman and Case Anderson stepping up as a defensive anchor allowed Moses Lake to take the lead and secure the win.   

“It was so much fun, because everybody was supportive; everybody got into the game, (and) everybody contributed in some way to that win,” he said.  

Aside from two new additions, this roster is the same as last year's freshman team that went 20-0 and was also led by Carlstrom. Their dedication to being the best they can be at any given sport is a key factor in their success, he said.   

“A lot of these (athletes) play football, baseball and basketball, but they all really work hard to get into the gym in the summer, and all those sorts of things. They're winners; they want to do what they can and be good at it,” Carlstrom said.   

They excel at playing the game unselfishly, the coach said. Additionally, they have learned how to collaborate and work toward a common goal as a team. They bring Carlstrom's ideas and discuss what they see on the court. This dynamic has contributed to a supportive team atmosphere where everyone wants the best.   

The system these student-athletes come up in also fosters player development from the beginning. They see how the process of preparation, game planning, communicating and executing works. The varsity squad, which is coached by Craig Groth, is a group of players the JV team can look up to as they try to reach those goals in future seasons.   

He said they know if they keep practicing as they have been, they will become the new varsity squad that younger players look up to, as well.   

“The players are building confidence and feeling good about their abilities and their skills. Winning is fun, and these guys have gotten used to that, and as a program, if winning could be your expectation, I think it is a positive thing for the whole program and the school,” Carlstrom said.   

With seven seniors on the varsity roster, player turnover is expected next season. Carlstrom is confident his players will be ready to take that next step when the time comes.

Carlstrom also credited two of his assistants, Cory Kunjara and Kyle Karstetter, for their help leading the team this season. He said they are a little younger, which helps them connect with the players more easily.   

“These guys know how I feel about a lot of things, and so it's been a huge advantage for me at practice to say, ‘Hey, can you step in and you tell them what you think?’ And sometimes they listen to those boys better than they listen to me, and I am okay with that. It's so helpful for me,” Carlstrom said.   

As they look ahead to the rest of their season, Carlstrom and the Mavericks are eager to keep their win streak going as long as they can. They also face a tough challenge Thursday when they host Cascade (Leavenworth) varsity squad at 7 p.m. It’s a challenge Moses Lake’s JV team welcomes, Carlstrom said. They will feel prepared since they try to challenge the Mavs’ varsity squad every week in practice.   

“That's one of the things this group of boys has really embraced, is every day at practice, they want to challenge the varsity players. They want to get better every day ... I'm very fortunate to work with these boys,” Carlstrom said.  

Mavericks JV Roster:  

Name, Jersey: 

Brody Widdis, 1 

Nolan Decubber, 2 

Case Anderson, 5 

Jeremiah Olson, 12 

Isaac Legault, 15 

Royce Reffett, 22 

Demaje Gardner, 23 

Deandre Christman, 24 

Grady Green, 30 

Dawson Stuart, 31 

Davin Martinez, 40 

Jax Johnson, 44 

Austin Casillas, 50  

    The Mavericks junior varsity squad huddle up during a timeout earlier this season. Head Coach Ryan Carlstrom said his players are dedicated and work hard to be at their best.
  

    The Mavs’ Case Anderson (5) dribbles the ball up the court during a game earlier this season.