The Lynnwood Royals girls basketball team will have a new gymnasium to play in this season at the new Lynnwood High School. With that new gym come the hopes of a new beginning for the Lady Royals.
Last season, the Lady Royals were eliminated from the playoffs after two losses in the 3A District 1 tournament.
The Royals will look to sophomore Mokun Fajemisin to lead the way. Fajemisin was named to the second team All-Wesco South as a freshman and looks to build on that this season.
“She is one of our definite leaders,” Lynnwood coach Everett Edwards said.
Fajemisin is the sister of Lynnwood senior Simi Fajemisin, who leads the way for the Royals boys team.
Fajemisin will seek help from her surrounding cast that includes Laycee Hill, a four-year varsity player, junior Kelsey Parker, and sophomores Meghan Cross and Casey Evans in the starting lineup. Kari Hella, also a four-year varsity player, provides the Royals a bit of pop off the bench.
“A key part of our success is going to be Kari coming off the bench,” Edwards said.
The Royals are a young team that only lost Alanna Eddy and Sara Coates to graduation last season.
That young nucleus gives Lynnwood reason to be excited about this season.
“Our team goal is to go to the state tournament in Tacoma,” Edwards said. “We have some kids who can play and they are passionate and committed.”
As is the case with most teams, the Royals need to stay healthy, something Edwards knows will be a key to their season.
Edwards enters his third year as the Lady Royals head coach. His first two seasons ended with losing records.
“This is the year we hope to get over the hump,” Edwards said.
If last season is any indication, the team might be ready to do that. Edwards said his team was very competitive against the Wesco’s top tier teams last season and with many other schools graduating several players, he is optimistic the team can improve and win some of their bigger games.
The Royals are off to a good start, beating Mountlake Terrace 49-33 in their first game of the season. Fajemisin led the Royals with 18 points and 10 rebounds in that game.
Lynnwood’s boys and girls varsity teams were both on display against Mountlake Terrace and the Fajemisin siblings lived up to the hype.
“It was kind of cool to see them lead their teams,” Edwards said. “The Fajemisin parents must be proud.”
Wednesday, Lynnwood opens their new gym against Shorecrest.
“Obviously right now we are trying to take care of business with the teams we got,” Edwards said. “Hopefully we will have some momentum to where that will be a big game for us.”
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