It's bombs away in Phoenix's offensive win

Columbia Basin Secondary School 77, Mansfield 69; Moses Lake Christian Academy 55, Cascade Christian Academy 32; ACH 70, Sprague-Harrington 45; Soap Lake 62, Kittitas 44

MOSES LAKE — Lucky number 13 it was on Tuesday night for the Columbia Basin Secondary School.

The host Phoenix lit the scoreboard up with 13 three-pointers en route to a 77-69 win over Mansfield last night in 1B North Central Washington league play.

Despite being down two starters, the Phoenix (11-5, 8-2) remained in second place in the league standings behind leaders Pateros who they host on Feb. 12.

“It was like the gunfight at the OK  corral,” Phoenix coach James Shank said. “We’d hit a big shot then they come back and hit a big shot. It was a heavyweight fight. It was all the sports cliches.”

Mansfield jumped out to a 17-15 lead in the first quarter behind the play of Cameron Peters, who would eventually finish with 29 points.

But Kayleb Jensen wouldn’t be outdone.

The sophomore point guard tallied game-high totals of 30 points and seven assists to help Columbia Basin Secondary take a 36-35 lead into halftime.

Both teams scored 21 third quarter points to set up a dramatic final eight minutes.

“I think we just wore them down and we got to the basket at ease,” Shank said. “Kayleb would get to the hole and kick it out for threes or he’d pretty much finish himself.”

That ability to win the war of attrition was enough for Shank’s club to outscore Mansfield (6-11, 6-5) 20-13 and pull away for the win.

The Phoenix were without leading scorer Eric Curtiss who is out for the season due to academics and Josh Conner who injured his ankle last weekend.

What they learned was that every member have what it takes to be a part of a team vying for history.

“What I told them before the game that the young guys had to step up and be a part of the team,” Shank said. “They did step it up and after the game I told them we could go to state by just the way the have handled some hardships. Its been incredible, really incredible.”

Moses Lake Christian Academy 55, Cascade Christian Academy 32

WENATCHEE — Shoot. That’s what Moses Lake Christian Academy Lions coach was saying two-fold after his squad’s recent struggles to put points on the board.

Well, the Lions did plenty of shooting on Tuesday night and Wood didn’t waste time telling them to in their 55-32 win at Cascade Christian last night.

Yet the win didn’t come without a little shake-up.

The Lions (12-4, 8-3) held a slim 13-10 lead against the hosts and managed to up it to 25-14 by halftime but the performance wasn’t up to Wood’s expectations.

“We did come a little lackadaisical so at half I decided to keep Joe (Timofeyev) in the game and started him with four subs,” Wood said. “I left them in for five minutes and they played very well. I think it made a statement that I’ll go to the bench with anybody and no one is invincible. They got to get better every night and bring it every night.”

The statement was a solid 18-10 performance which gave the Lions a 43-24 lead and ultimately enough for the win.

Joe Timofeyev scored 10 points, grabbed 12 rebounds and dished out seven assists.

“He’s totally come a long way since the first game,” Wood said. “This is his first year playing organized ball and he is getting a better feel for the game and making better decisions just with experience. These last few games he’s stepped up and has become more of a leader.”

Ben Timofeyev added 11 points and Connor Webb added eight points and seven rebounds for the Lions.

ACH 70, Sprague-Harrington 45

COULEE CITY — They are almost there.

The Almira/Coulee-Hartline basketball team is not only beginning to sense a pending Class 1B state tournament berth but after their 70-45 win over Sprague-Harrington last night, they may be close to establishing their best playing yet.

“We’re getting closer,” ACH coach Scott Isaak said. “We’re starting to play some long streaks of good basketball. You’re never ever too happy but it’s coming around.”

Kody Dillon led the Warriors (12-7) with 22 points while Cody Jess added 17 points and Derek Isaak poured in 11 points on ACH’s Senior Night.

Soap Lake 62, Kittitas 44

SOAP LAKE — Wings spread wide the Soap Lake Eagles boys basketball team appears to be taking off at just the right time of the season.

Behind the double-barrell shooting of Zach Allen and Kyler Moats, the Eagles pulled away to defeat visiting Kittitas 62-44 last night.

Soap Lake (8-6, 7-3) were without three players who were held out of action due to disciplinary reasons.

“I thought we played pretty well tonight considering we had two starters out,” Soap Lake coach Bill Pierce said. “They play hard, they play well.”

Moats led Soap Lake with 25 points while Allen ended up with 20 points.