MOUNTLAKE TERRACE — For Lynnwood girls basketball coach Jon Rasmussen, the Edmonds District Summer League was less of a time to focus on wins and losses and more of an opportunity to work on player development.

Based on that criteria, Rasmussen was pleased with his players’ performance in the five-week league that wrapped up July 1 at Mountlake Terrace High School. Fifteen varsity and five junior varsity teams participated in the league.

“I ran a lot of combinations,” Rasmussen said. “Seldom did I have a starting lineup in there.”

What Rasmussen did have that he has not had in recent years was a full lineup from which to select his various combinations.

“I had great commitment by the girls,” Rasmussen said.

One of the players who was there for most of the games was senior-to-be forward Amanda Crain, a self-described hoops junkie.

“I love basketball,” she said. “I love to be here. My team is great.”

Last season, the Royals advanced to the district playoffs for the first time in nine years. That success seems to have carried over into the offseason.

“There’s more commitment … than I used to have,” said Rasmussen, noting that he previously had to do some lobbying to get players to participate in the summer league.

“I think success is having people here,” Crain said. “The last couple of years we’ve had six or seven people. Right now we’re getting 10 strong. I think success would be getting our team here and getting all the younger players coming to play with us and having Lynnwood be known.”

All of next year’s projected varsity players made appearances at the league.

Some of the Royals are playing select ball, which is something new for Lynnwood.

“I love that as a coach,” Rasmussen said. “I’m not coaching them but I know they’re playing. We had eight total wins last year and I want to build from that this year … we’ve got a good batch of kids coming back.”

Crain spent most of the time trying to improve her defense. She has made a relatively smooth transition from post to guard.

“The defense part has not been the best,” Crain said. “That’s just what I’ve been really been striving to achieve — better defense.”

Rasmussen describes Crain as one of the team’s most versatile players.

Teammate Samantha Janssen, a senior-to-be guard, has been focusing on her ball handling skills. Rasmussen sees Janssen as a potential point guard.

“I’d love to develop her into my point guard and take Molly (Hunsinger) out of that role,” Rasmussen said. “She (Janssen) can play point. She’s an awesome ball handler and can control the team.”

Senior-to-be center Kelsey Ayres also played well in the league and will be a solid presence in the middle.

“Kelsey is a consistent player,” Rasmussen said. “I know what I’ve got with her. It’s almost one of those take it for granted (things).”

Lynnwood’s early efforts were a little ragged with all the different combination of players. But by the end of the five weeks, the team was playing well, Janssen said.

“I saw a lot of progress,” she said. “In the beginning, we didn’t play as well because we’re all from JV and varsity. But toward the end, we came together really good as a team.”

Rasmussen deliberately put some different combinations of varsity and junior varsity players on the floor together.

“It was good for them to learn and to play with each other,” Rasmussen said. “I saw a lot of individual improvement, which I was shooting for … I took the approach that it wasn’t about winning.”

Western Conference 4A South Division rivals Edmonds-Woodway, Meadowdale and Mountlake Terrace also fielded teams at the league.

In addition to focusing on individual improvement, the Mavericks took some time to fine tune their team chemistry.

“Part of our deal at Meadowdale is just to keep the program rolling all year so that we can improve,” said senior-to-be forward Quinn Brewe.

Several incoming freshmen played with the varsity and junior varsity teams and Brewe and her teammates tried to make them feel comfortable.

“They’re doing really well for us,” Brewe said. “It’s a lot of fun to have new people on the team.”

Brewe’s goal in the offseason was to expand her repertoire of shots, specifically the 3-pointer. The recruiting process has begun for the 6-foot-1 forward, who wants to continue playing after high school.

“As I enter my senior year, it’s time to get serious about what I want to do after high school,” she said. “So I’ve been working on just becoming more versatile, working on my 3-point shot. I’ve been a post player all the time so I’m trying to get more out on the wing and get some playing time out there.”

Her efforts appear to be yielding results. Brewe connected on five 3-point goals during a recent game.

Brewe described it as a breakout performance.

“I’ve been so scared to step out there. It’s outside of my comfort zone,” she said. “I take summer as my time to do things that normally I don’t do and step out of my comfort zone and start trying new things.”

Summer is the ideal time to work on individual skills. Players are able to have more one-on-one time with coaches.

“You can fine tune those skills so come the season we’re not going to have to worry about it as much,” Brewe said.

Brewe is one of five seniors back for Meadowdale and coach Karen Blair was happy to see all five players taking more active roles on the team.

“All of them have done a good job as far as stepping up as leaders,” Blair said.

Edmonds-Woodway coach Amy Branch, who organized the league, was pleased by how well her players came together.

“I was mainly looking to bring the girls together and work on our community and our family,” Branch said. “It has to do with building our program … they did really well as young women together. They did a good job of supporting each other and building that caring environment.”

The Warriors showed up early and cheered on their teammates, Branch added.

The players had other activities they could have been involved in but made a commitment to playing basketball two nights a week for five weeks.

“I just really appreciate them coming through and working the league,” Branch said. “The value of giving up their evenings was more impressive than anything.”