GIRLS PREP BASKETBALL: Riverside Christian 44, MOSES LAKE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY 29

YAKIMA - It has been no secret that the Moses Lake Christian Academy Lady Lions have rolled through North Central Washington 1B league play and has been chomping at the bit for a chance to battle amongst the elite prior to the post season.

On Saturday, the Lady Lions (13-3) travelled to Yakima to play Class 2B Riverside Christian and went nose-to-nose with their hosts.

However, a flat fourth quarter compounded by foul trouble and poor shooting led to a 44-29 Academy loss.

"This game was a good learning experience for us," Lady Lions head coach Bryce McPartland said. "While I'm not big on moral victories, I think this game reminded us that we have plenty to work on."

The Lady Lions trailed 33-27 going into the fourth quarter but were held to only one basket for the rest of the game as RC (9-7) pulled away.

"Offensively, we continue to fail to take advantage of our talents," McPartland said. "We were content to pass the ball around the perimeter, and did not look to attack the way we should. The girls are very good players, but I don't think they're always thinking about how to get the ball in the basket."

Rachel Verhage led the Academy with nine points and seven rebounds before fouling out with six minutes left in the game.

Melissa Verhage added eight points for the Lady Lions who shot only 30 percent from the field while committing 29 turnovers.

On Friday night, the Lady Lions defended their home court in a 41-27 trouncing of Wilbur-Creston.

The Lady Lions basically cemented the win with a 27-8 lead by halftime.

"Overall, I can't complain," McPartland said. "Wilbur-Creston is a team that has given other teams in our league fits, and we shut them down for three and a half quarters."

The Academy led 39-17 late before their guests made it respectable.

"I was phenomenally pleased with our defensive effort for the first 28 minutes of the game," McPartland said. "We moved pretty crisply and as a unit, in our zones, everyone was shifting in unison. It was awesome. Our man defense was tight. It was a fun game from a defensive perspective for most of it."

Rachel Verhage set the pace for the Lady Lions with 13 points and six rebounds while McKenna Walker and Kristina Firouzi each scored nine points.

McPartland also noted the play of Madison Yamane who finished with four points, four rebounds, and four assists.

"Madison struggled tonight, putting the ball in the basket, but it'll come," McPartland said. "She's in a bit of a slump, but it's nothing that any great player hasn't gone through at one point or another. She's way too talented for this to continue indefinitely."

Now it's on to claiming a league title and moving beyond.

"We have a great collection of 8 nice kids, but there are times and against Riverside Christian was one, when someone or two people have got to step forward, put the team on their back and lead us to victory," McPartland said. "We lack a go-to threat, the kid who is going to get us a bucket to end a dry spell, and it hurt us. Defensively, I love the girls effort. They're hustling so hard. I just wish they'd reward that effort on the offensive end."