The search for consistency continues for the Renton High School (7-8) boys basketball team despite surviving against crosstown rivals Lindbergh High School (10-4).

The Redhawks defeated the Eagles 68-62 on Jan. 19, but were up on Lindbergh by 21 in the second half. That lead was cut to two points with 1:19 left in the game, but Renton held on as they now have just four games left on their regular season schedule.

“Our consistency has to be better in terms of what we are doing. We have done this a couple of times this season where we have come out and had a good spurt and be up 15-20 points, then instead of maintaining or putting the game away, we just don’t. We falter and are undisciplined and don’t execute,” Renton head coach Rashaad Powell said.

In the six point win, 11 different players recorded points for Renton. Basketball rotations are usually, at most, eight players deep. But 11 players makes it hard for anyone to get in the flow of the game and make a significant impact. Juice White-Kelly finished with a team high 14 points, Jalen Taylor had 12, Sudan Luok had 11, and no other player had double figures.

With four games left on the schedule, Powell hopes to find a shorter rotation down the stretch. But he needs to see his players take steps forward.

“It’s not ideal to have that kind of a rotation, but I am going to that rotation if I am being honest because there is inconsistency with guys that we have and production of things guys are doing. Me going to that 11 man situation is not necessarily by choice,” Powell said. “I think we do have a number of good student athletes and a solid team.”

Adan Abdi runs the floor for Renton against Lindbergh. Ben Ray / The Reporter

Renton has played up to this point the toughest schedule in the state in terms of opponents’ win percentage (0.6844), and the next closest is 4A Issaquah with a .6657 opponents’ win percentage. This is before Renton played the No. 1 4A team ranked in terms of RPI, Lake Washington, No. 4 in Mount Si, No. 24 Bothell and No. 11 Woodinville to end their season.

“This is the kind of smoke you want as a competitor. These are the games. It’s not the low level teams. We strive to be a perennial state level team,” Powell said.

On a road that is certainly less traveled, Renton will have to bring its sharpest machete to get through its regular season. The talent is there, and Powell has seen it in spurts. But there is so much meat left on the bone in terms of beating these top tier opponents.

“I think our team is deeper and more solid than last year, and more talented top to bottom. To have these struggles that we are having is a bit frustrating,” Powell said.

Lindbergh has played the opposite of Renton’s schedule up to this point — their opponents’ win percentage is just .431 and the Redhawks served as a big test for the Eagles. Powell gave a lot of credit to Eagles’ head coach Abraham Garcia, who played against Powell when Garcia was starting for the Eagles.

Juice White-Kelley dribbles the basketball for Renton. Ben Ray / The Reporter

“I want to give credit to coach Garcia, he’s doing a great job up there at Lindbergh. I’ve always been really impressed with him just as a young man. He had the heart of a lion and to see him translate that to a coach and leader of young people is really impressive. I am extremely proud of the work he is doing, he and his coaching staff,” Powell said.

On the court, Renton shot out of a cannon. The Redhawks scored the game’s first 11 points and frustrated the Lindbergh offense. The first Eagle points came with 3:44 left in the first quarter and from that moment forward, Lindbergh kept chasing the Redhawks.

Renton out-rebounded Lindbergh 45-39 through the four quarters and dominated in the paint, outscoring the Eagles 40-30. A big contributor was sophomore Samson Mullen, who got the start against Lindbergh. Mullen finished with seven points and six rebounds, but showed signs that he can compete at the highest level.

“Samson was great. He did exactly what we needed him to do, be a physical rebounding presence and finish around the basket,” Powell said. “After last night, he solidified himself as someone who can come in and play substantial minutes and be solid for us.”

At halftime, Renton took a 39-28 lead, and if it wasn’t for back to back lay-ins for Lindbergh at the end of the half, the 15-point buffer had been kept essentially the entire first half. James Huff had been held to just five points, and the best Lindbergh player was Trinidad Valentino-English, who had 10 points off the bench for the Eagles.

The two sides went back and forth in the third quarter. Renton didn’t have a single player record multiple field goals, but seven different players made a shot from the floor. Lindbergh got two big threes from Ayoub Jarato to stay in the game.

Lindbergh fought all the way back, and down six with under three minutes, Huff had a breakaway dunk chance, but was fouled by Luok, who then received a technical foul. With the score 64-58, Lindbergh had a chance to go on a 6-0 run without Renton touching the ball. Huff was perfect from the free throw line and cut the lead to just two, closer than it had been all game.

James Huff IV holds up play for Lindbergh against Renton. Ben Ray / The Reporter

Solomon Sanders had two chances to tie the game on that Lindbergh possession. Luok blocked his first attempt and he missed his second. Following a Renton turnover, the Eagles had another chance to get back to level terms. But Christian Serrano, who finished as Lindbergh’s top scorer, missed a floater.

The Eagles wouldn’t score the rest of the night, sealing their fate. Lindbergh closes their season with Hazen on the road, Mercer Island and Juanita at home before finishing with Newport away.

Renton on the other hand takes on Lake Washington on Jan. 20 away from home before taking on Mount Si on Jan. 23 at home.

“This is why we wanna play where we are playing at, if we are talking about a roster of guys that say they want to play college basketball. These are the games and opportunities you have to capitalize on,” Powell said. “This will be a good test for us to see the level of team that we are.”