Lady Phoenix drops game to CCA

WENATCHEE  - The Columbia Basin Secondary School (CBSS) girl's basketball team traveled to Wenatchee Tuesday looking for a road win. But the Cascade Christian Academy Wolverines played an unwelcome host and sent the Phoenix home with a 49-39 loss.

"I thought the ladies played one of their best games defensive wise," coach Clint Scriven said. "During the first quarter neither team really scored much, so that was to our advantage."

The teams played even ball and were tied 6-6 at the end of the first quarter. But the Wolverines went on a 19-2 run to go up 25-8 at halftime.

"Keeping it tied in the first quarter was a big lift to the team," Scriven said. "But struggling like we did in the second quarter and only scoring two points really put us in the hole."

The Phoenix offense finally got on track in the second half of play as they out scored Wenatchee 31-25. But their effort came up a bit short as the Wolverines held on for the win.

"I was very impressed with the ladies during the third and fourth quarter taking what we talked about at half and putting it into play," Scriven said. "They chipped away at the Wolverines lead and got within eight points a number of times in the second half."

CBSS had to mount its comeback without the Phoenix No. 2 scorer Amber Lloyd who was injured with two minutes left in the game.

"She hurt her knee as she was driving to the basket on a fast break off our press breaker," Scriven said. "It was tough not having her in there, but we continued to get baskets from some of the other players late in the game."

Crystal Lloyd led the way for CBSS with 15 points and 14 rebounds. Amber Lloyd added 14 points, six rebounds and three steals. Madison Hansen contributed four points and four rebounds, and Jayslie Balanay, Maleena Brimberry and Amree Kimball finished with two points each.

"Everyone on the team contributed in the scoring," Scriven said. "They put all they had into the game. Down by ten and with no subs to put in (with Lloyd out) they endured until the end." 

The loss drops the Phoenix record to 0-2 in league play and 3-8 overall.

The Phoenix is back in action on their home court Friday when the team hosts Easton at 6 p.m.