MLCA boys back on track

MOSES LAKE - Moses Lake Christian Academy (MLCA) bounced back from an upset loss to Soap Lake last Tuesday with two big wins over the weekend.

The Lions turned back Mansfield on the road Friday, and then beat Waterville at home Saturday

MLCA 47

Mansfield 34

Lowell Kirkwood knocked down 15 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, and Miller Wang scored 12 points and dished out 4 assists to help lead the Lions to a win over the Kernels.

MLCA got off to a slow start but were up 9-8 at the end of the first quarter. The Lions caught fire in the second eight minutes of action as the team put 17 points on the board to Mansfield's 5 to take a double-digit, 26-13, lead at intermission.

The Kernels played better second half ball as they scored 21 points, but it was too little too late for the home team as they dropped the contest by 17.

Kenton Clereringa added 9 points and 4 steals in the Lions win.

"We sure didn't play the game as well as I had hoped to, but we had two guys out with the flu so we were a little short-handed," coach Duke Wood said. "We also had a 6 p.m. start, which was a bit earlier than normal, but we gutted it out and got a win on the road."

MLCA 55

Waterville 47

The top dogs of the Central Washington 1B Conference matched up in a game that could have a huge impact on postseason seeding as the Lions hosted the Shockers from the North Division Saturday.

It was as competitive a game as one would expect out of the two teams, but this time MLCA got the upper hand.

"We really needed this game," Wood said. "We knew we had to give 110 percent on both ends of the floor to compete, not to win, but just compete. Waterville has rattled off a lot of wins in a row and has been playing great basketball as of late. So, If we planned to stay up with the top teams in this league, we had to find a way to win."

MLCA had its work cut out as the team trailed 16-11 at the end of the first eight minutes of play and was down 27-22 at the half.

"Things did not go our way the first half of play as we fell down 14-4 early. But were finally able to make a little run to close out the quarter down 16-11," Wood said. "Down five at half I told the guys to find whatever it takes to spark yourself and rise to the challenge and give everything they had left in their tank to get us over the hump. I felt if we could just get a tie or a one point lead, they would see that all their hard work payoff."

The Lions dug down deep and were able to collect themselves in the locker room as the team went on an 11-6 run in the third quarter to tie the game 33 all. MLCA went on to outscore the Shockers 22-14 in the final eight minutes of action to come away with an 8-point victory.

"We grew more confident with every possession in the fourth quarter and got out to a 12 point lead Wood said. "We made some crucial free throws in the closing minutes and I could really tell the team wanted this win."

Kirkwood had the hot hand for the Lions with 27 points. He also pulled down 10 rebounds. Quade Godfrey added 11 points; Alec Naccarato had 10, going 3-for-3 from behind the arc, and Noah Roberts finished with 6 points and 4 rebounds.

The two wins improve MLCA to 7-1 in league play and 8-4 overall.

The Lions are back on the hardwood tonight for a road game against Cascade Christian Academy.