Chiefs fall to 0-4 after losing to Idaho champions
MOSES LAKE — They aren’t the Idaho 5A state champions for nothing.
Returing a bevy of players from last year’s baskeball squad, the Coeur D’Alene Vikings stormed into Moses Lake and played unfriendly guests as they beat the Chiefs 80-52 on Tuesday.
“They are a very talented team and they are loaded,” Chiefs coach Rolland Hansen said. “They have a good group over there. They were state champions in Idaho and have everyone back so you knew it would be a tough one.”
The Vikings jumped out to an early 24-5 lead after the first quarter and would take control for the remainder of the contest despite some of Moses Lake’s (0-4) better ball of the season.
“That first quarter we had a lot of great looks and were playing them well,” Hansen said. “You think you are playing them dead even but the shots were not dropping.”
The Chiefs shot 17-for-60 from the field.
Gabe Porter and Matt Franz each had 11 points to lead Moses Lake.
“The last game we struggled with turnovers so we talked about eliminating them and we only had 17 and managed to take 60 shots,” Hansen said. “The kids did everything we asked them to do but they just couldn’t put the ball in the hoop.”
As they fell further behind, Moses Lake would try to up the tempo but then would hurry shots out of its offense, leading to some bad misses as the game wore on.
“We talked about playing more disciplined basketball even when we’re down 10 or 15 points,” Hansen said. “We just asked them to mature and try to handle those situations better but we can’t accept losing. If we play for good shots and play together as a team we can come back into these games.”
The Chiefs managed to outrebound the Vikings 40-37.
The Vikings were led by Curtis Reno’s 18 points and Connor White and Devon Austin’s 13 points apiece,
Ephrata 73, Chelan 69
CHELAN — Brandon Evenson called it one of the biggest crowds he’d coached in front of when his Ephrata Tigers travelled to Chelan on Tuesday.
What he didn’t mention was it may have been one of the largest quiet audiences after his Tigers pulled out a 73-69 overtime win to move to 2-0 on the season.
“It’s a great game to have for non-league,” Evenson said. “Both teams are tough to play and to win a game on the road like this hopefully will prepare us for our trip to Ellensburg to start league play Friday.
“I can’t tell you how proud of them I am for their heart and passion for the game.”
Chelan and their University of Virginia-bound star Joey Harris led 18-11 after the first quarter and by two at halftime before the future Cavalier got into foul trouble in the third quarter.
Ephrata would capitalize by taking a 48-43 lead into the fourth quarter.
As the game wound down in regulation time, Harris would hit a three to tie the game at 64 and a Tigers last second attempt rimmed out sending the game into overtime.
In the extra period, Ross Buchert (16 points five assists) hit a runner putting the Tigers up 71-69. Randall Tupling (20 points) iced the game moments later with two free throws.
Patrick Simon finished the night with 24 points, 18 rebounds and four assists, while Mark Novik chipped in with 13 points and nine offensive rebounds.
Omak 49, Warden 40
OMAK — A chance to win at the end went without reward and the Warden Cougars fell at Omak 49-40 last night.
“We played pretty poorly,” Warden coach Wes Richins said. “We were down by two with a few minutes left and didn’t get it done tonight. We were just a little flat and didn’t play well down the stretch.”
Warden trailed by eight after one quarter and 31-20 at halftime before creeping back into the game with an 11-7 third quarter.
Jon Burkholder and Nate Stott each led the Cougars (0-2) with 10 points apiece.
Goldendale 52. Royal 33
ROYAL — A solid first half could not be cloned and the Royal Knights dropped their home opener 52-33 to visiting Goldendale on Tuesday night.
Royal (2-1) led 14-8 after the game’s first eight minutes and held on for a 25-21 lead at intermission.
“We played fantastic in the first half and about did everything right,” Royal coach Pete Christensen said. ““It was close until the training wheels came off and we could never come back,”
The Knights’ Mark Albertson got into late foul trouble, hurting the squad’s ability to run their offense effectively.
Albertson finished with two points 12 rebounds and six assists.
“We jut quit playing basketball,” Christensen said. “We had poor passes, too much dribbling, and stopped trying to get the ball inside. Goldendale didn’t make many changes we just stopped playing. I was disappointed in the second half. We lost Mark to foul and he’s the key to getting the ball inside.”
Matt Barger led the Knights with 14 points and 10 rebounds.