CBSS girls beat Easton, boys beat Thorp

MOSES LAKE - The Lady Phoenix played an unwelcome host to the Easton Jaguars Friday night as the team turned back the visiting squad 52-31.

The game was fairly competitive in the first half of action as Columbia Basin Secondary School (CBSS) took a 12-4 lead at the end of the first quarter. But Easton out scored the home team  8-6 in the second to close the gap to 18-12 at intermission.

Crystal Lloyd and her teammates jump started the Phoenix offense in the second half of play to out score the Jaguars 34-19 and run away with lopsided win.

"The Ladies play great tonight," coach Clint Scriven said. "We tried a number of new things on defense and they executed the new challenge with exceptional skill."

CBSS started the game with a man-to-man full court press and put the Easton on its heels late in the first quarter. The Phoenix pulled back into a half-court trap in the second half to keep the pressure on and finish out strong.

"All of this was new for our ladies and they executed the plan with a lot of heart," Scriven said. "Crystal excelled in her responsibilities of running the press and the offense. She played all but just a few short minutes in the third quarter to get a breather."

Lloyd led CBSS to victory with 25 points, 17 rebounds, seven steals and five assists. Destiny Quarles added eight points, four rebounds and four steals. Madison Hansen chipped in seven points, Jayslie Balanay had six points, eight rebounds and four steals, and Brittney Deines finished with six points and 12 rebounds.

"This was an uplifting win for the ladies," Scriven said. "As we say, 'Play Phoenix Strong,' and they did."

The win runs CBSS record to 1-2 in league play and 4-8 overall.

The Phoenix are back in action tomorrow night when the team heads across the way to take on the MLCA Lions. Game time is 6 p.m.

Boys roll over Thorp

THORP - The Columbia Basin Secondary School (CBSS) boys basketball team got a much need 55-24 road win against the Thorp Tigers Thursday.

The Phoenix jumped out to a 23-5 lead at the end of the first quarter of action and never looked back as the team took a 42-9 score into the locker room at the half.

CBSS pulled back on the reigns in the second half of play and was able to get the bench players a lot of game time experience.

"We got out to a big lead in the first half and were able to get some younger players in the second half," coach Rolland Hansen said. "We've been spending a lot of time in practice concentrating on shooting this last week with a long time between games and it really paid off tonight."

Eric Curtiss led the CBSS offensive attack with 27 points. Michael Northup added 16, DongQi Han had eight points and Allan Curtiss and Pedro Perotti finished with two points each.

The Phoenix are back in action tomorrow night when the team travels to Moses Lake Christian Academy to take on the Lions at 7:30 p.m.