Academy rolls, Warden nipped in tourney
Last night, the Moses Lake Christian Academy Lady Lions rolled to an 80-40 win over Bridgeport, thanks in part to the 24-point, nine-steal performance of McKenna Walker (shooting).
Improved outside shooting of Madison Yamane (21) was just one of the keys in last night's Moses Lake Christian Academy 80-40 win over Bridgeport.
MOSES LAKE - It may not be Christmas anymore but the Moses Lake
Christian Academy Lady Lions found plenty of basketballs in their
stockings last night.
MOSES LAKE - It may not be Christmas anymore but the Moses Lake Christian Academy Lady Lions found plenty of basketballs in their stockings last night.
That's because they turned plenty of Bridgeport Fillies turnovers into points and the Academy were on their way to an 80-40 thrashing in the second semifinal of their own Christmas Tournament.
MLCA play Tri Cities Prep at 6 p.m. tonight in the tournament final while Bridgeport take on Warden at 3 p.m. in the Consolation Final.
"I'm happy with the girls' effort after bit of a layoff," Lady Lions Bryce McPartland said. "To come out after the break and score 80 points without a practice is not too shabby."
It took the Lady Lions some time to shake their holiday feasts and Bridgeport jumped out to a 8-3 lead behind two three-pointers and multiple Academy missed shots.
"I do think some of it was just getting used to playing at game speed against a real opponent," McPartland said. "We didn't call timeout because the shots they were making were not sharp and we felt those would stop falling."
Bridgeport actually shot 60 percent from the field in the first quarter but they were also busy turning the ball over 17 times under relentless Lady Lions full court pressure.
Eighth-grader McKenna Walker spearheaded the defensive attack with seven steals in the games first eight minutes.
"I let loose because I am trying to get the ball and that's all I am thinking about," Walker said. "I feel if I miss my steal attempts the other girls are there to back me up."
The Academy (6-2) offense got clicking as Madison Yamane's continued improvement beyond the arc showed with three treys.
"It has a lots to do with lots of summer camps and practicing," Yamane said. "I haven't stopped playing since last season. I also have a lot more confidence and I need to have that because I have to contribute more this year."
All five starters scored at least four points apiece in the first quarter and at one stage, the Lady Lions scored 11 points in a 1:01 span.
What also aided their cause was only committing one turnover and finishing with a 23-0 run in the opening quarter.
"We have three girls that we are pretty comfortable putting the ball in their hands," McPartland said. "It gives us the flexibility to play against that pressure. Most teams don't have that kind of luxury."
Play wasn't as refined in the second quarter as Bridgeport showed some spark and cut the gap to 42-18 with 3:12 left in the first half.
Yet, the Academy found its groove on the defensive end, held Bridgeport in check, and would lead 49-19 by the half.
"I think we did let down a little after we got ahead by a lot," Yamane said. "We got more lazy and committed more fouls which made us more cautious. That makes us even more lazier. We did a good job getting over it. We had a nice little wake up call in the locker room too."
In the game's first 16 minutes, Walker had 15 points, Yamane 14 points, and Rachel Verhage 10 points.
After halftime. the visiting Fillies showed that they were ready to make the most of their trip to Moses Lake as they stormed out of the gate, outscoring the Lady Lions 9-0 until a Verhage follow up with 4:05 remaining made the score 51-28.
"I feel that Bridgeport did very well keeping up with us," Walker said. "They did a good job of sticking it to us defense-wise, played aggressive, and didn't give up."
The Lady Lions settled in as the quarter ended and led 63-32 going into the fourth.
From there it became an exercise in winning efficiency as the Academy cruised behind multiple free throw attempts and drives to the basket before the mercy running-clock came into play in the game's final minute.
Walker led the Lady Lions with 24 points, Yamane finished with 21 points, and Verhage chipped in with 16 points.
Walker also finished with a game-high nine steals as the Lady Lions ended up forcing 32 turnovers compared to only 10 of their own.
"I like our overall aggressiveness but we're not always playing smart," McPartland said. "But we are always attacking and against a lot of these teams you can meet with a lot of success. The way the girls are playing right now they are speeding the other teams up to where they are not comfortable playing that way."