Moses Lake readies for state push
MOSES LAKE — It may be a case of getting hot just in the nick of time.
After winning 11 games against teams with below .500 records, the Moses Lake High School girls basketball team found its rhythm this past weekend and not only recorded their first two wins over winning squads, but did so on the road.
The Chiefs (13-11) first defeated Southridge 56-47 in Kennewick on Friday to guarantee inclusion into the Regional Tournament and then turned around to defeat Richland 57-48 just 24 hours later to finish third in the Big 9 district tournament.
Behind this run of success the Chiefs travel to Spokane tonight to take on perennial powers, Lewis and Clark (14-8) in the opener of the regional tournament which tips off at 6 p.m.
“We have some film on them from throughout this season, and they look as solid as ever,” Moses Lake coach Matt Strophy said. “They miss that go-to offensive player they’ve had in the past, as well as that lock-down defender that has made them so good, but, they have a solid group of about 10 players that are all interchangeable.”
Lewis and Clark is characterized by penetrators and shooters primarily and some interior players which Strophy notes can get the job done.
“They may not have the marquee players of the past, but they have a much deeper core of talent,” Strophy said. “They can be inconsistent at times, and that has cost them in their handful of losses, but that’s high school sports for you. They prefer to get the ball up the floor and have a fast pace.”
That fast pace is exacerbated by their man-to-man press and a multiple set of traps Lewis and Clark will throw to disrupt offenses and force numerous turnovers.
“Taking care of the ball is paramount for us,” Strophy said. “If we can slow the game down and execute in the half court, then we have a chance of beating them. If we get caught up playing at their break-neck speed, it could be a long night for us.”
If the Chiefs can execute like they have during their current three-game winning streak, Lewis and Clark could be in for a rough night themselves.
In the win against Richland, the Chiefs used a stingy defense to pull away from a 40-38 lead after three quarters to sail to the win.
“We took it from them in the third quarter,” Strophy said. “Although it was a battle, the girls did good things on both sides of the floor in the second half to keep the lead and get out of Richland with the victory.”
Jordan Loera led Moses Lake with 26 points, 11 rebounds, seven steals and four assists, while Kayla Bernsen chipped in with eight points and four rebounds.
Their momentum may have begun the previous evening as they roared back from 43-35 deficit after three quarters to win behind a 21-4 run over the game’s last eight minutes.
“Our offense finally kicked into high gear and it helps when you don’t turn the ball over either,” Strophy said. “We committed no turnovers in the fourth quarter. The girls stayed calm and battled all game long. They didn’t get rattled, and when things started to go their way, they just flat out dominated Southridge to finish the game.”
Loera finished with 15 points, eight rebounds, and five assists, while Bernsen added 11 points and nine rebounds.
Megan Sutherland scored nine points with three three-pointers, with two coming during the pivotal fourth quarter.
Moses Lake, win or lose, will play Friday in Kennewick and the Toyota Center against either Southridge (16-8) or Big 9 District Tournament winners, Chiawana (21-2).
Both winners will match up 5:30 p.m., while the two losers will battle it out in an elimination game starting at 4 p.m.