Jackson presents winnable challenge, Moses Lake believes

4A state basketball tournament preview

TACOMA - On paper, the Moses Lake Chiefs seem to have a less-than-favorable draw for the 4A state girls basketball tournament.

The 10th-ranked Chiefs, making their first-ever state appearance, have a first-round date today at 5 p.m. against the Jackson Timberwolves. Jackson, which is making its third straight state trip, has won 21 consecutive games, is ranked third in the final Associated Press poll and features perhaps the state's best player in senior Kristi Kingma.

To get to the heart of today's matchup, however, one has to look much deeper than a sheet of paper.

The Chiefs (21-5) might be underdogs to western Washington fans unfamiliar with their style, but Moses Lake coach Matt Strophy thinks the Timberwolves present a very beatable approach.

"We know that they are a very up-tempo team - they like to press a lot," Strophy said. "They're high-octane, they want to run and get into a track meet with you."

Jackson (22-1) used that strategy to finish 16-0 in the WesCo Conference South Division and earn a district title by knocking off No. 4 Lake Stevens. But on Wednesday, the Timberwolves have to contend with Moses Lake freshman point guard Jordan Loera, who is more than capable of breaking pressure on her own.

Jackson's man-press defense is similar to what the Chiefs have seen from Columbia Basin League rival Pasco, Strophy said. And while the Chiefs committed several press-related turnovers against Pasco in Friday's 48-46 regional playoff defeat, they still took two of three meetings with the Bulldogs this season.

Moses Lake and Pasco could face off for the fourth time at state, with a potential semifinal game looming on Friday.

Jackson is also a favorable foe for Moses Lake in terms of size - the Chiefs have boatloads and the Timberwolves have little.

"They are a very guard-oriented team," Strophy said. "Most of their opponents' leading scorers are their post players, which factors in well for us."

That means Wednesday's result relies heavily on the play of senior Ann Noyes and junior Carly Noyes. The latter scored better than 19 points per game during the regular season, and has routinely carried the Chiefs in their five postseason wins.

Ann Noyes, meanwhile, could key Moses Lake's defensive effort against Jackson. Her versatility will allow Strophy and his staff to rearrange defensive assignments depending on needs.

Moses Lake wants to use its 1-2-2 matchup zone for most of the game but will "look to mix up a few man-to-man possessions," Strophy said. While Loera usually plays at the top of the zone, Ann Noyes or junior guard Kelly Sutherland will likely see more time there to pressure Jackson's point guard with size.

Kingma, who was rated the nation's 85th-best player among 2008 recruits by Blue Star Basketball Report, is headed to the University of Washington this fall. The 5-foot-10 guard has good floor vision, finishes well inside and has a strong mid-range jump shot. She scored a career-high 36 points in Jackson's district title win over Lake Stevens.

"Our main focus is to contain Kristi Kingma on defense," Strophy said. "We'd much rather have their other players beat us than for her to go off for 40."

Sophomore Erin Feeney provides a good outside shooting presence for the Timberwolves, and the Chiefs should also be conscious of seniors Ashly Bruns and Ashley Todd.

Win or lose on Wednesday, the Chiefs will see either Skyview or Kentwood on Thursday. Strophy doesn't have film on either team yet, but plans to get some in the first round.

Skyview (22-3) is a similar team to Jackson, Strophy said, in terms of their up-tempo style. The Storm have a Division I recruit in Saint Mary's-bound senior Ashlee Smith, who recorded 24 points and 10 rebounds in a blowout of Redmond to reach state.

Kentwood is coming off a third-place finish at the Tacoma Dome last winter. The Conquerors cruised to a 14-0 mark in South Puget Sound League play, but Strophy thinks that league is much weaker than Moses Lake's. Kentwood has a couple solid juniors in Lindsey Moore and Jessie Genger, but is a much younger team than the Chiefs.

Six of the state's top 10 teams are on the top half of the bracket, opposite the Chiefs, which means Moses Lake won't have to worry about the likes of Lake Stevens, No. 2 Prairie or No. 1 Lewis and Clark until Saturday's championship game.

Ballard, Rogers-Puyallup, Graham-Kapowin and Pasco are the other four teams on Moses Lake's half, and none look terribly imposing. Graham-Kapowsin is a third year program making its first trip to state, while Rogers-Puyallup is the only state qualifier with a losing record.

The Chiefs have an obvious level of comfort with Pasco - which will be without injured guard Kelsie Ramsey at state - and No. 5 Ballard is also debuting at state, though Beavers coach Karen Blair is a veteran after coaching Meadowdale to the 3A title in 2000 and 2004.

If Moses Lake can get past Jackson, its road could suddenly get much smoother.

"It's a much better draw," Strophy said. "Ballard and Kentwood are there because they're the best teams from their areas, but their areas are pretty weak.