MLCA boys turn back CBSS Phoenix
MOSES LAKE - Lowell Kirkwood had 30 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists, and Austin Ray finished with 16 points and 6 assists to lead Moses Lake Christian Academy (MLCA) to a 76-35 home win over the Columbia Basin Secondary School (CBSS) Friday.
"I didn't know how we would come out of the gate for not having played a game in 10 days," coach Duke Wood said. "We started out kind of slow, but overall, we had a pretty solid four quarters offensively. But we still have a lot of work to do on the defensive side."
The Lions got out to a 7-3 score, but cranked thing up on the strength of four Kirkwood 3-point buckets to take a 25-13 lead at the end of the first quarter.
An 18-14 run by MLCA sent the Lions into the half up 43-27.
"Giving up 27 points in a half is a few more than we should have," Wood said. " We talked to the guys in the locker room and made a point of not giving up so many points and work hard on the defensive end. I guess my point was well taken."
The team indeed to Wood's message to heart as MLCA put up 33 second half points to the Phoenix 8 to run away with the game.
"We are a young team and are going to make some mistakes, but over-all I think we played pretty well," Wood said. "The more we play the fewer mistakes we make, and the more confidence we get, which is taking a step in the right direction. CBSS has a new coach and a new system, which takes a little time to learn, with Coach McCaffery they will get better as the year goes on and will notch a few wins for themselves."
Chris Gonzalez led the Phoenix scoring with 17 points. Austin Cochran added 10, Devon Hartman pumped in 6, and Allen Curtis had 2. Nik Lennartz, who averages 15 points per game, was shutout by the Lions.
"Even though the score does not indicate it, we haved improved in some areas of our game," coach Bob McCaffery said. "We are gaining valuable experience in playing tough teams, which will help us to succeed in the second half of the season."
The win over CBSS improves MLCA to 3-0 in league play and 3-2 overall. The loss drops the Phoenix to 0-3 in league play and 0-4 overall.
The Lions are back in action Thursday when they host Warden in the first game of the Christmas Tournament at 7:30 p.m.
CBSS is back on the hardwood Jan. 4 when the Phoenix host Wilson Creek at 7:30 p.m.