Chiefs roll to undefeated holiday invite

AUBURN, Wash. — The Moses Lake Chiefs girls basketball team continued their dominating season Dec. 29 through Dec. 31 as they finished the Auburn-Riverside Holiday Invitational undefeated.

The Chiefs began invitational play last Monday by squaring off with Washington 3A power Lakes. The Lakes Lancers are coming off of a third-place finish at the 2008 3A state tournament.

Despite a five-point second quarter and an eight-point fourth quarter, the Chiefs dominated the Lancers for a 66-33 victory.

Lakes couldn’t find an answer for neither Moses Lake senior Carly Noyes nor sophomore Jordan Loera. The duo combined for 41 points in the win over Lakes, Noyes leading the way with 25.

The Chiefs continued their run to an undefeated invitational when they faced the defending Oregon 5A state champion Jefferson.

Moses Lake built an eight-point lead into the fourth quarter, but the Chiefs couldn’t hold back the Jefferson Democrats. The Democrats fought back and sank a 3-pointer as the clock expired to send the game in to overtime.

Although the Democrats forced overtime, the Chiefs prevailed.

Loera went 4-of-4 from the free-throw line in the extra period, Kelly Sutherland drained a clutch 3-pointer down the stretch and senior Shelby Kenner had two layups to help the Chiefs claim the 83-80 overtime victory.

Noyes led the Chiefs to victory over the Democrats with 32 points. Loera finished with 20 and Sutherland added 17.

Moses Lake entered their third and final game of the invitational against perennial Oregon 6A state power Jesuit.

Moses Lake never trailed Wednesday as the Chiefs knocked off the Crusaders 45-36 in their invitational finale.

Noyes led the Chiefs in scoring for the third consecutive game with 19 points.

Moses Lake’s Columbia Basin Big Nine schedule resumes Friday night when the Chiefs host their archrival Pasco at 7:30 p.m.