Lady Lions miss on trip to state finals in Spokane

EAST WENATCHEE - It is always typical at the end of one season

to look ahead to the next.

Unfortunately, that process is starting one weekend too early for

the Moses Lake Christian Academy Lady Lions.

EAST WENATCHEE - It is always typical at the end of one season to look ahead to the next.

Unfortunately, that process is starting one weekend too early for the Moses Lake Christian Academy Lady Lions.

Heading into the Class 1B state regional round at Eastmont High School, the Lady Lions (20-5) needed just one win in at most two games to advance to the state finals in Spokane the following weekend.

But having to take on two of the better teams in state - Sunnyside Christian and Columbia (Hunters) - the task was a bit daunting and the Lady Lions' state stay ended with back-to-back losses in East Wenatchee.

"Ending the season is always tough, especially on the seniors, Kristina Firouzi and Melissa Verhage," Lady Lions head coach Bryce McPartland said after his team's 59-25 and 66-44 losses to Sunnyside Christian and Columbia respectively.  "But there is absolutely nothing they have to hang their heads about. They led MLCA girls' basketball to it's first two trips to the state tournament. They are the winningest senior class in the girls' basketball team's history, and posted the first league and district championships for the girls' team."

In their regional title game Friday against Sunnyside Christian, a shorthanded Lady Lions team trailed 32-13 at halftime. Earlier this season the Academy battled SC to a competitive 15-point loss in Moses Lake.

"This game was one we actually felt we would be very competitive in, entering the week," McPartland said. "Unfortunately, some off-court issues contributed to our not being in a position to field our full squad and in this game, as in any game against strong competition, we needed everyone engaged in the game. I think the off-court stuff proved to be a tremendous distraction for some of the other girls and the net result was a sound beating at the hands of one of the strongest teams in the state."

Eighth-grader McKenna Walker led the Lady Lions with 11 points while sophomore Madison Yamane added seven points.

In Saturday's game against Columbia, the Lady Lions could win and still advance on but faced a longer, taller opponent.

Despite the disadvantage in size, the Academy, in the face of numerous turnovers, kept things close at the end of the first quarter, trailing 16-11.

Columbia (25-2) seemingly at its best in a full court game, scored numerous fast-break layups, but struggled in their set offenses and defenses.

"Columbia probably had the most team speed of any team we've played this year outside of ACH," McPartland said. "There were multiple times where this game could have gotten out of hand but several times, the girls made pushes to cut the lead down to eight or ten, before Columbia would extend the lead again."

Trailing 34-19 at halftime, the Lady Lions clawed back after intermission behind the aggressive offensive attacks of Yamane who got to the rim four times in five possessions, drawing fouls on all excursions to the basket.

She hit all eight free throws and sparked the Lady Lions who were within 45-37 early in the fourth quarter.

Sophomore Rachel Verhage would add some key inside baskets as the margin stayed within striking range before a late Columbia push put the game out of reach.

"The score may not look it, and I know the end result was disappointing, but I think this game should serve as a tremendous springboard heading into the off-season," McPartland said. "Columbia-Hunters came into this game having only lost twice, both times to ACH, was ranked third in state, and the disparity of most of their scores was pretty stunning. Our girls really battled with them all game long."

Verhage led the Academy with 15 points, Yamane ended up with 12 points, and Walker added 10 points.

"McKenna and Madison both had strong offensive games and made some really, really nice plays," McPartland said. "Abby Garrett's defense really is remarkable, both on the ball and off, I'm not sure that anyone understands the system better and works harder to execute it. I was genuinely proud of the girls' play this game, especially following up what could have been a complete demoralizer the night before."

So despite the season ending earlier than desired the Lady Lions can look back positively and forward with hope.

"I am very excited as we move into the off-season," McPartland said. "I thought the younger girls - Madison and McKenna in particular - really made statements in that last game about how things would operate next season. We should continue to have strong guard play. We anticipate a relatively large incoming class of kids who have played a lot of AAU ball. Most importantly, the kids we have coming back are very interested in playing ball and improving their games."