Moses Lake girls team seeks improvement

MOSES LAKE — As the sole Big Nine Conference team in the Columbia Basin, Moses Lake faces fierce competition this season.

Losing three senior starters isn’t dampening their spirits as the Lady Chiefs look to improve during their initial games and find their tempo before the regular season play begins.

Moses Lake Chiefs (4A)

Head Coach: Matt Strophy, eighth Year

2008-2009 Overall Record: 22-8

2008-2009 District Record: 9-3, Columbia Basin Big 9, 2nd in League

State Appearance: 6th

Starters Returning: Jordan Loera (All-State point guard)

Returning varsity members: Lacey Padilla, Tiffany Morris, and Megan Sutherland.

Newcomers: Alma Guzman, Natalie Diaz, Maggie Munoz, and Kayla Bernsen

Outlook: They finished sixth with a lineup consisting of three players now playing at the collegiate level, including Washington State Cougar Carly Noyes, but there is still optimism for the Moses Lake Lady Chiefs as a new season commences.

Eighth year coach Strophy still has Loera to count on to hopefully build on the 22-8 season from last winter.

The highly touted junior will man the point while working with her three fellow returnees as they guide the newcomers during the early part of the season.

“Our strong points are effort, hustle and system knowledge,” Strophy said. “Still, we have to work on our conditioning, offensive confidence — especially in shooting — communication and gaining varsity level experience.”

The Lady Chiefs are dealing with some nagging injuries returning early in the campaign.

They may not affect the team’s continuity offense and quick hitters sets, which should free up Loera for the dribble-drive attack they hope to install.

Defensively, they will switch up with their signature match-up zone and incorporate more presses and traps to “help create our offensive fluency,” Strophy said.

If all goes as planned, the Lady Chiefs aim for some lofty goals.

“We will use a tough non-league schedule to prepare us for our league opponents and qualify for the regional tournament,” Strophy said. “We want to continue to improve throughout the season and be playing our best ball in February and March.”

The non-league schedule includes Post Falls and Coeur D’Alene in Idaho along with Central Valley.

Strophy also said he expects Wenatchee and Southridge to be top challengers to the Big Nine Columbia Division title along with his Chiefs squad this season.

Season opener: Tuesday at Hermiston, Ore.