Top-ranked Moses Lake Christian advances

YAKIMA, Wash. — The top-ranked Moses Lake Christian Academy Lions advanced to the quarterfinals of the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association boys 1B state tournament following a 62-51 victory over fourth-ranked Oakville.

The Lions scratched their way to a 13-9 first quarter lead thanks to senior Adrian Moffet.

Moffet led the Lions in the first half with 17 points and finished the game with 24.

After building a four-point first quarter lead, the Lions were able to push the lead to 31-25.

Although Moffet kept the Lions in the game during the first half, it was senior Riggs Yarbro who pushed the Lions to victory in the second.

While the Lions took the lead in the first half, the Acorns of Oakville battled back in the third quarter. The Acorns managed to pull even with the Lions at 41-41 before a basket from Yarbro pushed the Lions ahead 43-41 at the end of the third quarter.

Moses Lake Christian head coach Lonnie Brown said it was important for his team to get the ball to Yarbro.

“Their tallest kid was (6-foot-1),” he said. “We knew we had a mis-match (with Riggs) down low.”

The 6-foot-7 Yarbro ended the contest with a game-high 29 points, 19 of which came in the second half.

Brown said his team played well throughout Wednesday night’s win.

“I would say three-quarters of the game we did what we had to,” he said. “I am happy to get it over with. I was nervous to play the fourth-ranked team in the first round.”

Brown said Oakville was a tough opponent to play Wednesday.

“It was a hard-fought game,” he said. “Our kids did a great job.”

Moses Lake Christian outrebounded Oakville 44-20 Wednesday night.

Moses Lake Christian senior Tim Gjefle held Oakville leading scorer Berry Peterson to just 11 points. Peterson had averaged 23 points per game this season.