Moses Lake swimmers win 11 of 12 events, rout Davis

Prep sports recaps

MOSES LAKE - The Moses Lake boys swimming team began Columbia Basin League action on Tuesday in impressive fashion, hammering the visiting Davis Pirates 143-34.

The Chiefs won 11 of the 12 events and swept the top three positions in several races.

In the 200-yard medley relay, Moses Lake's top team of Jeremy Grant, Eric Butterfield, Marshall Goodrich and Nick Kardong earned eight team points with a time of 1:46.87. The Chiefs' No. 2 team of Reuben Huddleston, Austin Massart, Dylan Grigg and Marc Bales was second at 1:54.32.

The 200-yard freestyle saw Moses Lake's Kyle Reeder, Chandler Byington and Colby Byington sweep the top three spots. Reeder was first at 2:13.26, with Chandler Byington second at 2:18.96 and Colby Byington third at 2:24.40.

The Chiefs dominated the 200-yard individual medley as well, with Huddleston, George Olson and Kyle Hickman going 1-2-3. Huddleston's winning time was 2:20.68.

In the 50-yard freestyle, Butterfield was well ahead of the rest of the field, winning in 23.53 seconds. Teammates Massart (26.12) and Grigg (26.89) were second and third, respectively.

The Pirates' only win came in the 1-meter diving competition as Randy Peltier came out on top with 183.30 points. Moses Lake's Robert Jackson was second (179.00) and Chad Borg was third (164.15).

The Chiefs again went 1-2-3 in the 100-yard butterfly as Grigg led the way at 1:03.45. Huddleston was second at 1:05.19 and Cameron Goodrich third at 1:08.75.

In the 100-yard freestyle, Moses Lake's Marc Bales won with a time of 56.89. Teammates Tyler Morrison and Christopher Jackson were second and third, respectively.

The 500-yard freestyle saw Moses Lake's Reeder on top in 6:07.82 with teammate Chandler Byington second in 6:14.93. Thomas Hepner of Davis finished third.

The Chiefs' 200-yard freestyle relay teams also swept the top three positions. Butterfield, Kardong, Marshall Goodrich and Grant were well ahead of the pack in 1:33.93.

Bales picked up his second individual win of the day in the 100-yard backstroke, winning in 1:09.55. Colby Byington was second (1:16.70) and Adam Cormier third (1:19.21).

In the 100-yard breaststroke, Massart won in 1:12.69, followed by teammate Kyle Hickman (1:16.96) and Gavin Miller of Davis (1:24.42).

Moses Lake ended its dominating performance in the 400-yard freestyle relay with another 1-2-3 finish. The Chiefs' top team of Butterfield, Kardong, Marshall Goodrich and Grant were easy winners - over 37 seconds in front - at 3:29.46.

The Chiefs don't race again until Tuesday, Jan. 8, when they host the Eisenhower Cadets at 4 p.m.

Girls basketball

Moses Lake 77, Wenatchee 46

WENATCHEE - The Chiefs began Columbia Basin League 4A play with one of their signatures - a blazing hot start.

Moses Lake outscored the Panthers 26-6 in the first quarter, immediately putting Wenatchee on its heels.

"The first quarter sets the tone," Chiefs head coach Matt Strophy said. "We just jumped out in the first quarter."

Wenatchee was able to stay close throughout the second quarter, but a 27-13 Moses Lake run in the third quarter removed the remaining suspense.

"After the halftime break we just came out like gangbusters and just put it to them again," Strophy said.

Carly Noyes scored a game-high 29 points for Moses Lake. Teammates Jordan Loera (18 points) and Kelly Sutherland (15 points) also had good nights. Plus, the Chiefs were able to hold Wenatchee star Dani Hallberg to 14 - about six below her average.

"We were switching defenses on her," Strophy said of the strategy against Hallberg. "We offered a little pressure and focused on where she was."

With a huge lead, the Chiefs were able to freely substitute throughout the second half - something the coach knows will be beneficial later in the season.

"We have to make sure we get our non-starters some playing time so they're comfortable coming in the game," Strophy said.

Moses Lake (6-0 overall, 1-0 CBL) travels next to western Washington for a post-Christmas tournament at Auburn High School, Dec. 27-29.

Royal 50, Kittitas 47

ROYAL CITY - The Lady Knights evened their non-league record at 3-3, coming on strong over the last 16 minutes to earn a win over the Coyotes.

"We started out slow but we played better in the second half," Royal head coach Maria Lefler said. "We had some spurts where we looked really good, and other spurts where we have stuff to work on."

Tawnee Gonzales came up with a huge game to pace the Knights, scoring 19 points and pulling down 13 rebounds. Katrina Werlinger chipped in 11 points.

Lefler wants her squad to improve its free-throw shooting but was otherwise pleased with where the girls at going into conference play.

Royal opens South Central Athletic Conference East Division action on Thursday, traveling to Connell for a 6 p.m. start.

Columbia-Burbank 56, Warden 24

BURBANK - The Lady Cougars dropped their SCAC East opener on Tuesday, falling behind early and struggling on offense throughout the night.

"They just pressured us pretty hard," said Warden head coach Todd Kisler, whose squad trailed 22-4 after one quarter.

Cassandra Kisler had seven points to lead the Cougars' attack, with Kim McPartland adding six and Kacey Kisler chipping in five points and five rebounds.

With a couple players missing due to outside commitments, the Cougars will have to look for new sources and find a spark.

"I'm going to bring up a couple junior varsity players," Todd Kisler said. "I'm just trying to get our confidence level up."

Warden will participate in Moses Lake Christian Academy's Christmas Tournament, Dec. 27-29.

Boys basketball

Columbia-Burbank 51, Warden 30

BURBANK - Tuesday's SCAC East tip-off boiled down to one thing in the mind of Warden head coach Wes Richins - shooting.

"We had a poor shooting night and they didn't - they shot well over 50 percent from the field," Richins said. "They out-rebounded us and out-shot us. When we struggle to put the points on the board, it hurts us a lot."

Ben Bisnett was perhaps the Cougars' lone bright spot, scoring a team-high 13 points and hitting 9 of his 10 free throws.

The Cougars return to action Dec. 27-29 at the Moses Lake Christian tournament.