Soap Lake ends season with 78-71 state tournament loss

MOSES LAKE — The season ended for the Soap Lake boys basketball team with a 78-71 loss to Summit Classical Christian Academy in the first round of the state playoffs Friday at Moses Lake High School. 

Soap Lake and Summit were tied at the end of the first quarter and Soap Lake stayed close throughout the game, but Soap Lake coach Daniel Simon said one factor made the difference.

“They just shot the lights out tonight,” he said. “Sometimes it’s just out of your control. It’s part of the game of basketball.”

The Archers took a quick 4-0 lead, but Soap Lake came back, hitting two three-point shots to cut the lead to 10-9. The Eagles took the lead with about three minutes to play, but Summit hit a three-pointer with three seconds left in the quarter to take the lead. A foul called right before the first-quarter buzzer allowed Soap Lake to tie the game at 19.

Summit took the lead on a pair of three-pointers and maintained it, despite some good Soap Lake defense that forced a 30-second violation. Summit pushed the lead to nine points but Soap Lake came back, cutting it to five on a three-pointer by Ruvim Goloborodko. Summit led 38-32 at the half.

Summit shots started falling — while Soap Lake’s weren’t — and the Archers ran the lead to 48-38 with about four minutes left in the third quarter. Soap Lake kept working and cut the lead to 48-47 when Jairo Lopez hit a three-point basket with about 1:30 left in the third. The Eagles took the lead on a three-pointer by Goloborodko, but Summit hit a three-pointer to cut into that lead. Soap Lake led 52-51 at the end of the quarter.

However, Summit outscored Soap Lake 27-19 in the fourth quarter, hitting a pair of three-pointers at the start of the quarter. Soap Lake cut the lead to 63-61 on a drive by Trey Landdeck, but Summit hit four three throws to take the win.

Even though the Eagles didn't quite reach their goal they had a good season, Simon said.

“We played hard. I think we have a lot to be proud of. Obviously, we wanted to play in Spokane, but we made (the state tournament),” he said. 

“I’m proud of my guys. We’ve had a really great season. The seniors had a great four years; I’ve got some juniors that will be back next year. So hopefully the run is not over,” he said. 

Cheryl Schweizer may be reached via email at cschweizer@columbiabasinherald.com.

Box score

Soap Lake: 19 13 20 19 - 71

Summit: 19 19 13 27 - 78

    Trey Landdeck of Soap Lake, in white, goes for the drive in Soap Lake’s state tournament game Friday.
  

    Pavlo Stoyan (1) drives from the top of the key in Soap Lake’s game against Summit.
  

    Soap Lake’s Ruvim Goloborodko (0) puts up the shot in Friday’s state tournament game.
  

    Soap Lake’s Trey Landdeck (3) evades a Summit defender.