Lions overpower Phoenix in district playoff win
WENATCHEE — Each came in with a win under their belt against the other.
When Monday’s 1B North Central Washington district playoff game between the Moses Lake Christian Academy Lions and Columbia Basin Secondary Phoenix was complete, one was that much closer to a coveted state tournament berth.
Behind 26 points and 12 rebounds from Lions center Stefan McNamara, the Christian Academy ran away in a 76-49 win to move into Thursday’s District Championship game against Pateros at Wenatchee High School.
The winner receives an automatic berth to the state tournament.
The Lions (15-5), who lost their last meeting with the Phoenix at the Secondary School’s home court, welcomed the return of McNamara who missed the previous contest.
“It’s because we had Stefan and he is so huge for us,” Lions coach Duke Wood said. “We didn’t have him when we went to their place and I think our guys had a chip on our shoulder coming in to today’s game. I told them they weren’t just playing for the school but you are also playing for Moses Lake. Everyone was relaxed, mellow, and not horsing around. They came to play.”
The Phoenix (12-7) trailed 17-8 after the first quarter before the Lions used an equally solid next eight minutes to lead 34-18 by halftime.
“They came out and looked really good,” Columbia Basin Secondary coach James Shank said. “I think they came out expecting to win and we came out hoping we’d win. That was the difference.”
Behind a blistering and welcome offensive surge, the Lions scored 24 points out of the locker room to build a 58-32 lead after three quarters to cement the win.
“We played really well,” Wood said. “Our rebounding was really good and we shot the ball well tonight. We haven’t put up 76 points against a good team all season.”
The Academy also went 18-for-27 from the line and committed a scant nine turnovers despite creating an up tempo atmosphere.
Jonny Roberts added 16 points and 10 rebounds for the Lions while Joe Timofeyev added nine points and eight rebounds.
A potential Phoenix comeback in the second-half took not only a hit when the Lions got hot but also when Shank got ejected for arguing a call.
“We got beat, we got beat bad in all phases of the game,” Shank said. “We couldn’t block out and they were much more physical than we were.”
With their pending final at 8:30 p.m. on Thursday the Lions can now see a possible state berth on the horizon.
Wood also attributed his team’ experience of being at the 1B state tournament last year as being a big factor in the win.
Five current players visited the Sun Dome in Yakima with the Lions during their run to the state championship game.
“The win was huge especially in a district tournament since you want to get the first one out of the way,” Wood said. “Hopefully it carries over to Thursday night. There was no celebrating after this because they want more. We played as a team. We had 26 assists on 30 baskets, so it tells me we’re sharing the ball.””
The Phoenix were led by Kayleb Jensen’s 27 points while Mike Northrup and David Cantu each scored 10 points.
Columbia Basin Secondary plays in a loser out consolation game on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. against Mansfield (7-14) at Wenatchee High School. The winner would take on the loser of Pateros-Moses Lake Christian Academy on Saturday in a final game to determine which team claims the second and final state tournament berth.