Bombers drop Chiefs one game from elimination
RICHLAND - So okay, the Moses Lake Chiefs girls basketball team
faces elimination in a district tournament.
But, the good thing is that they, especially seniors Jordan
Loera and Kayla Bernsen, have been there before, especially last
year when they found themselves in a position like the one they are
in now.
Richland 65, MOSES LAKE 53
RICHLAND - So okay, the Moses Lake Chiefs girls basketball team faces elimination in a district tournament.
But, the good thing is that they, especially seniors Jordan Loera and Kayla Bernsen, have been there before, especially last year when they found themselves in a position like the one they are in now.
On Saturday, the Chiefs (16-6) fell for the third time this season to the Richland Bombers, as they lost 65-53 in a Big 9 district tournament semifinal game.
This next Friday, Moses Lake will host Walla Walla in a loser out semifinal game starting at 7 p.m. If they were to win, the Chiefs would play the loser of the Big 9 title game between the Bombers or Chiawana - who also play Friday - the next night.
It's deja vu for sure as last season's the Chiefs played in four elimination games before qualifying for the state tournament finals and won them all.
"The girls understand we've been through this process before," Chiefs head coach Matt Strophy said. "It's demoralizing to lose the game but the season's not over and our goal is still attainable."
Richland (17-2) led 30-20 at halftime behind a solid defensive effort. Richland outscored Moses Lake 12-2 in the last three minutes of the first half.
"We were missing our shots just like in some measure the game we had against them at Big Bend," Strophy said. "We were able to get shots, we just weren't able to put the ball in the basket."
In the third quarter the roof fell in as the Bombers capitalized on six Chiefs turnovers and 3-for-9 shooting to build their lead to 48-27 heading into the final eight minutes.
Loera led the Chiefs with 23 points and Bernsen finished with 16 points. Kyleigh Gamez added 12 points for Moses Lake.
On Friday, the Chiefs forced the playoff with the Bombers behind a strong 61-38 loser out game win against a Davis Pirates team that, have no doubt, made things difficult for their hosts until late.
Moses Lake led 18-7 at the end of the first quarter but after going up 24-7, they saw Davis scape and crawl bad to within 31-18 by halftime..
"The Davis coach received my vote for coach of the year even if he didn't win," Strophy said. "They have young talent and are scrappy. They get after it hustle play wise."
In the third quarter Davis (8-13) kept things messy for awhile before Moses Lake slowly crept up to a 45-26 cushion and they would roll from there. Moses Lake outrebounded Davis 59-35 and held the Pirates to 17 percent shooting.
Loera led Moses Lake with 21 points, Gamez added 13 points off the bench, and Magie Munoz added 10 points.
"We can't afford to dwell on things in the past," Strophy said. "We have to set our sights on two games this weekend. Walla Walla is hitting their stride so we can't overlook them after beating them twice. Our goal of making state is still attainable."