MLCA's Naccarato awarded WIAA Athlete of the Week

MOSES LAKE - Fans were treated to a shooting clinic Tuesday night when Moses Lake Christian Academy's (MLCA) Alec Naccarato exploded for six three-pointers.

The junior finished with 26 points and the Lions secured a crucial Central Washington 1B South win over Columbia Basin Secondary School, 42-39.

"It was a big win," Naccarato said. "I think our team's motivated now to start playing to the best of our ability."

After his big game, Naccarato was named as one of the Washington Interscholastic Athletic Association's Athletes of the Week along with other prep standouts across the state.

Naccarato started strong with two three-pointers early and continued his onslaught from the outside throughout the game.

"I was feeling pretty good in warmups but in the first quarter when I hit two three's that's when I knew," he said. "It was just feeling good."

Due to his scoring ability, Naccarato has had to deal with double teams throughout the season and said that he just found a way to get open against the Phoenix and make the most of his opportunities.

"I've been double teamed a lot this year," he said. "I was double teamed that game. I just got to move and I got to find open shots and that's what I did and if I can't score then I'm just going to try and get my teammates the ball."

Naccarato said he was motivated to shoot lights out after watching Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry make eight shots from behind the arc. Curry, along with LeBron James and Michael Jordan, is his favorite basketball player.

The win improves the Lions' record to 1-1 in league play and 2-7 overall. Naccarato hopes getting an important league win against Columbia Basin will propel MLCA into the second half of the schedule.

"It was a big win," he said. "I think our team's motivated now to start playing to the best of our ability."