Redmond freshman Kodee Kimball is averaging 16.4 points and shooting 37.9 percent on three-pointers. (Photo by Gary Decker)

Technically, Redmond's girls basketball team came within one game of making its first state final the last two seasons.

But the margin in those 5A semifinal defeats – 48-29 to Silverton in 2024 and 72-44 to Crater in 2025 – revealed that a gulf separated the Panthers from the state's elite teams.

The way Redmond is playing this season, though, that gap appears to have shrunk, if not disappeared altogether The Panthers (16-1, 5-0 Intermountain Conference), No. 3 in the OSAAtoday 5A coaches poll, have won 16 in a row and are outscoring their opponents by 35.5 points per game.

“We had the opportunity the last two years to be in that final four and see that elite-level talent that it takes to win it all,” third-year Redmond coach Alex Carlson said. “This year I feel like, if we play our game, we can compete with anybody.”

The Panthers are running teams off the court. They are averaging 71.5 points per game, highest in the state all classifications and a big jump from 55.4 last season.

Redmond has built around its two returning starters in 5-foot-6 senior point guard Mylaena Norton, the reigning IMC player of the year, and 6-1 junior post Freya Snow. Freshman guard Kodee Kimball has given the offense a jolt, 6-3 junior center Addison Ring (transfer from Summit) has been a defensive force and 5-10 sophomore wing Bergen Porter has made a leap after coming off the bench as a freshman.

The chemistry has been impeccable.

“This team just has a great energy about them,” Carlson said. “It's been awesome to be around.”

Carlson said that Norton, a third-year starter, has 'taken a big step” in her role as the team's floor general, averaging 14.8 points and 3.1 assists. The 5-6 Kimball is thriving playing opposite of Norton, putting up a team-high 16.4 points and leading the team in three-point shooting (39 for 103, 37.9 percent).

“She's been a stud from the get-go,” Carlson said of Kimball. “It's just how complete she is at this stage. She's an excellent on-ball defender. Every game, she gets one of those steal breakaway layups. She's tough as nails.”

Porter, who played a stretch-4 position last season, has moved to a more natural wing spot because the team has more size. She is averaging 10.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 3.0 steals.

Snow (9.9 points, 8.4 rebounds, 3.1 steals) and Ring (6.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.7 blocks) give the Panthers a solid wall inside. And they have the athleticism to excel in the open court.

“If we had a race, those two would be two of the fastest people on our team,” Carlson said. “They can really run. That adds a different dimension. We try to play fast. Their length in our defensive scheme is really good, but they can turn it into offense by getting out and running. It's pretty tough for a lot of bigs we face.”

Freshman guard Ainsley Ure has provided a lift as the sixth man, averaging 6.4 points and 3.2 steals. Kimball and Ure aren't playing like freshmen.

“Their physicality for their age is just really impressive,” Carlson said. “You wouldn't guess they are 14 by looking at them.”

Redmond started its winning streak after losing to 4A No. 4 Henley 71-69 in its season opener. Without Ring available for that game, the Panthers struggled on the boards and got in foul trouble.

“We felt a little out of sorts,” Carlson said. “Fortunately, we haven't done things like that since. If we rebound, we're going to be pretty successful.”

Redmond has three wins over teams currently ranked in the OSAAtoday 5A coaches poll, topping No. 7 Silverton 54-51, No. 8 Crook County 69-27 and No. 9 Summit 56-44. The Panthers also have defeated 4A No. 2 Seaside 68-34 and 4A co-No. 9 La Grande 83-29.

Redmond has not played the other teams at the top of the 5A rankings, but after facing many of them in the summer, the Panthers are well aware of the competition.

“I'm really excited to put us up against anybody this year,” Carlson said.

Jesuit wins Metro showdown

A dominant performance by 6-5 sophomore forward Ceanna Forney propelled No. 6 Jesuit to a 72-52 win at No. 5 Southridge on Tuesday in a game between co-leaders in the 6A Metro League.

Forney had 36 points and 16 rebounds for the Crusaders (13-5. 5-0), who took sole possession of first place over Southridge (11-7, 4-1). Forney shot 13 of 20 from the field, including 3 of 4 from three-point range, and made all seven of her free throws.

Jesuit coach Jason Lowery said that Forney, who turns 16 in May, is “growing right before our eyes. I haven't seen too many 6-5 kids at her age with this set of skills on both ends. Her potential is limitless.”

Freshman point guard Sam Harris also excelled for the Crusaders, posting 14 points, seven assists and two steals. Harris is the first freshman starting at point guard in Lowery's 29 years of coaching.

“Sam Harris is a gifted point guard with next-level vision, passing and playmaking skills,” Lowery said.

Senior guard Amani Lubrano added 12 points for Jesuit, making four three-pointers in a 30-5 second-half run that opened a 67-38 lead.

West Linn halts Springfield streak

West Linn (16-2) No. 2 in the OSAAtoday 6A coaches poll, rolled to a 57-27 home win over 5A No. 1 Springfield (18-2) on Thursday, ending the Millers' 17-game winning streak.

Junior guard Kaylor Buse had 19 points, nine rebounds, four assists, three steals and three blocks and senior point guard Reese Jordan had 16 points, six rebounds, five assists and two steals for the Lions, who bounced back from a 63-52 home loss to No. 1 Tualatin on Tuesday.

Sophomore post Kinley Buse added eight points and 11 rebounds and played tough defense on Springfield standout freshman forward Nunu Filipe, holding her to 10 points, half of her average.