Chiefs' season ends just short of state

KENNEWICK — Moses Lake began the second half with an offensive spark.

Kelly Sutherland hit a 3-ball off the dribble to cut the Mead lead to three.

Mead came back with 6-0 scoring run, holding Moses Lake scoreless for nearly four minutes in the third quarter.

Carly Noyes ended the drought with a 2-for-2 stint at the line making it 28-21. Noyes then forced a Mead turnover, stripping the ball, and saw her defensive effort converted into a Moses Lake bucket.

Vanessa Brischle hit a 3-pointer from the corner, near the baseline, and saw her basket followed up by a layup from Noyes on an assist from Marielle McKean to end the period with Moses Lake down three.

To begin the fourth, the Chiefs committed their 30th turnover of the game.

"I have to give credit to the girls for us to still be in striking distance even with the turnovers and poor shooting," said Moses Lake head coach Matt Strophy. "The girls battled and played hard. Sometimes you just have to give credit to the other team for beating you."

Moses Lake continued to play catch-up, with Sutherland hitting another 3-ball to make it 38-31 with under four minutes left to play. Sutherland hit her final 3-pointer of the night with three minutes left.

Brischle sank the Chiefs' final field goal of the night with under a minute to play but the offensive effort was too little too late.

Moses Lake's season ended with a 51-40 loss.

"Pride is the best way to sum up this season," said Strophy. "We're teaching people to have pride in Moses Lake girls basketball. We go out and work hard and have pride in the things we do. This teams has been the best team so far and we want to do better."

The Chiefs' road to play Mead began with a defeat of Wenatchee Friday night.

A dominant performance by Noyes propelled Moses Lake to a 48-34 victory.

The Chiefs began the game with a 6-0 scoring run that included buckets by Ann Noyes and McKean.

Wenatchee came roaring back to tie the game with back-to-back threes. It was the closest the Lady Panthers would come to the Chiefs all game.

A blocked shot by Carly Noyes was scooped up by Brischle for a steal. Carly Noyes finished off the play she started with a layup to give Moses Lake the lead once again. The Chiefs would not relinquish the lead again.

Moses Lake continued to press their advantage when Lorin Montgomery earned a steal and then connected with Sutherland for a layup to end the first quarter.

Carly Noyes continued to be a force on both ends of the court, earning another swat and converting it to points on the offensive end of the court with three consecutive hoops for Moses Lake.

Marielle and Ashley McKean added to the Chiefs' defensive effort with steals to keep Wenatchee out of any offensive rhythm.

The second half began with a layup by Carly Noyes and was followed by a baby jump shot by Ann Noyes on an assist from Marielle McKean.

Brischle hit Moses Lake's last field goal with nearly two minutes left in the game. She hit a 3-ball to make it 48-30.

The Chiefs won the game 48-34.

Moses Lake got past Shadle Park in a tight game Saturday morning.

Shadle trailed by three points at the beginning of the third quarter and battled the game back to a 21-21 tie.

It was Sutherland who snapped Moses Lake out of the tie with a pull-up jump shot with under four minutes to play. Ashley McKean ended the period with a jumper of her own to give the Chiefs a 31-30 lead.

Shadle was able to hang close, cutting the Moses Lake lead to three with two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.

Marielle McKean dished a pass out to Carly Noyes for a layup to give Moses Lake a 39-34 lead.

Shadle cut the lead again, hitting a 3-ball with 47 seconds left.

Moses Lake was able to withstand Shadle's last ditch effort to win the game 41-37.

Carly Noyes led the team with 49 points and 30 rebounds in three games. Sutherland scored 20 points, earned 13 boards and had 5 steals. Ann Noyes put up 29 points and grabbed 13 rebounds. Marielle McKean had 19 points, 10 rebounds, 9 assists and 4 steals. Brin Bergeson had 6 boards and 3 steals. Brischle put up 11 points and grabbed 5 boards. Ashley McKean earned 8 rebounds and 6 points. Lorin Montgomery had 4 points and 4 assists.