MLCA players, coach honored
Alec Naccarato (blue) was named to the Central Washington 1B first team recently.
MOSES LAKE - Moses Lake Christian Academy head basketball coach Duke Wood was unsure he would even have a team as the season drew closer.
But after an appearance in the Central Washington 1B district tournament, Wood was awarded his third straight coach of the year while junior Alec Naccarato and senior Spencer McNamara were given all-conference honors.
"This (award) was the biggest surprise I guess," Wood said. "It's not about me, it's about the kids ... You can give them the information and the tools to be successful, but they have to do it."
Naccarato was named to the first team and was the primary ball handler for the Lions this season.
"I asked him to play point and he didn't even blink an eye," Wood said. "He did what he had to do for the team."
Naccarato was also awarded Washington Interscholastic Activities Association athlete of the week honors after a game in which the junior drained seven 3-pointers.
MLCA's opponents threw double teams at Nacarrato for the majority of the year attempting to get the ball out of his hands.
"When you have a few good games in this league and people figure it out they know who you are," Wood said. "They'll stick two guys on you at one time and it's frustrating, but you just have to play through it."
McNamara was awarded honorable mention and, as the lone senior on the team, provided much-needed leadership to the youthful Lions. He also had a nose for the basketball.
"In my five years there I would say he's in my top three of Mr. Hustle," Wood. "He's not afraid to skin his knees or his elbows."
With an extremely inexperienced team, Wood set a goal of two wins on the season. The Lions finished 3-12 overall and clinched the No. 2 seed after defeating Columbia Basin, 42-38, in a tiebreaker game.
MLCA's season ended with a 31-point loss to Entiat in the district tournament semifinals, but Wood is encouraged by his team's improvement over the course of the season.
"You could say we over achieved I guess, but they worked hard to get everything they got," he said. "We still have a mile to go, but they're willing to learn and they work hard."