Moses Lake Shockers take first, second at tournaments
<strong>Back:</strong> Coach Eric Anderson and Coach James Getzinger. <strong>Middle</strong>: Carter Smith, Blaine MacDonald and Michael Getzinger. <strong>Bottom</strong>: Kaiden Valdez, Avery Anderson, Drew Greninger, Braeden Anderson and Maddox Gwinn. <strong>Not pictured</strong>: Elliott Lee and Joel Middleton.
The Moses Lake Shockers, a fourth grade AAU basketball team, recently competed in two tournaments over the second week of November.
They took first and second place, respectively.
On Nov. 11, the Shockers traveled to Yakima for the 8th Annual Veteran's Day Tournament. They went 3-0 for the tournament championship.
Game 1 saw the Shockers jump out early and never look back, besting the Kittitas County Magic 37-16.
Carter Smith led the way with 12 points, while Kaiden Valdez and Blaine MacDonald each had 6 points. The coaches praised the rebounding of Elliott Lee.
In Game 2, the Shockers met up with their neighbors from Othello, outlasting them 41-22. Drew Greninger and Smith each finished with 8 points to lead the team.
In the final game of the one day tourney, the Shockers withstood the constant full court pressure of White Swan and came away with a 33-16 win.
Greninger again led the way with 10 points, while Maddox Gwinn chipped in 6.
Over the weekend, the Shockers headed south to Hermiston, Ore. for the 8th Annual Hermiston Autumn Kickoff Classic, and came home with a 5-1 record and a second place finish.
Pool play began with a hard fought 34-18 win against the host team from Hermiston, the Hoop Kings.
Greninger was high point man again with 7, while Valdez and Michael Getzinger each added 6. The coaches praised the defensive effort of Avery Anderson, holding their point guard scoreless in the second half.
Up next were the Braves from Kamiakin. The Shockers dispensed of them 36-22, led by Smith's 8 points. Braeden Anderson had 7 to help lead the way.
Game 1 Sunday was against the Walla Walla Rebels, with the Shockers handing them a 41-6 loss. Greninger had 10 points and Gwinn finished with 8.
Game 2, and the last game of pool play, was against a tough Richland Gunners team. After falling down by as many as 10 points in the first half, the Shockers pressed their way back to take a 42-28 win, and first place in pool play, giving them the No. 1 seed into the tournament. Smith led the way with 16 points, followed by Braeden Anderson again with 9 points.
In the semifinal, Moses Lake squared off with the Tri-City Flight. After a little trouble initially with their press, the Shockers pulled away for a 45-29 victory, and a berth in the championship game. Michael Getzinger led the way with 11 points, followed by Greninger with 9.
In the championship, and the fourth game of the day, the Shockers ran out of gas, falling to West Valley of Yakima 30-38. Smith again led the team in scoring with 13, while Getzinger had 8.
The Shockers major sponsors are Washington Tractor, CHS Connell Grain, and Lad Irrigation. They take the court next the weekend of Dec. 5 through the 7 at the Santa Hoop Classic in Ellensburg.