‘We need to up our expectation to a state championship’

MOSES LAKE -- The Moses Lake Christian Academy/Covenant Christian School Lions left Spokane Arena with hardware last season, placing fourth in the 1B classification after defeating top-seeded Lummi Nation 45-40 in overtime of the tournament’s fourth/sixth-place game.

While players certainly celebrated the win, their attention was already starting to turn to the next season – toward bringing home a state championship. 

“It was just the buzz among the parents, it was a buzz among the players and coaches. We were all like, ‘All right, time to up the ante,’” head coach Emerson Ferguson said. “When I spoke to the boys and the parents, I said, ‘We know we can win league, we know we can win district, we know we can win a regional game. We need to up our expectation to a state championship.” 

MLCA/CCS was the state’s No. 3 seed in 1B last season, finishing the year with a 23-2 overall record that included an undefeated mark in league games. The Lions had a 20-game winning streak that stretched from early December until the quarterfinals of the state tournament, where they fell 62-54 to Neah Bay before rallying in the consolation bracket. 

MLCA/CCS has won each of the previous three Central Washington B district titles and will look for its fourth in a row this season. The Lions aren’t resting on their laurels though or taking their league competition lightly, Ferguson said. 

“We can’t come in thinking, ‘Ah, we’ve got it,’” Ferguson said. “We’ve got to have that consistency and that mindset of let’s go to work. A business mindset; go out and do what we do, no matter who we’re facing.” 

Eight of the 10 players on the 2023-24 MLCA/CCS roster return this season, including four starters. 

“Those guys are battle-tested. We’ve got four starters that started every game last season, and those guys played in some tough games versus some extremely tough opponents,” Ferguson said. “I think being battle-tested is one of the biggest benefits of having such an experienced group coming back.” 

While the bulk of the MLCA/CCS roster returns from a season ago, the Lions will be without two players from the 2023-24 season, as Jonah Robertson and Caleb Jones both graduated in June. Robertson was selected to represent the 1B classification in the Washington Interscholastic Basketball Coaches Association’s all-state game. 

Ferguson noted junior James Robertson and sophomore Max Gulenko as players who will step into bigger roles this season. 

“Max didn’t start the season as a starter, but he worked his way into that and had a great season,” Ferguson said. “I really think he’s going to elevate his level as well.” 

Among the returners is junior Johnny Ferguson, who received first-team all-league recognition a season ago.  

“Given another year of experience, I think he’s going to have a great season,” Emerson Ferguson said. “He’s very athletic and has a lot of talent. I expect him to raise his level a little bit like he did last year and take on more of a leadership role.” 

Focuses for the upcoming season include consistency and fluency, as well as avoiding letdowns, Ferguson said. 

“We’re really just trying to capitalize on what we didn’t do well last season,” Ferguson said. “We’re trying to improve on how we did, and I think that’s the biggest thing that we’re focused on. Doing all the things we did right, doing those again, but also the things we didn’t do well and turning those into strengths this season.” 

Last season the Lions held opponents to fewer than 60 points in 20 of their 25 games – strong performances on the defensive end are projected to return once again this season. 

“A staple in our program is very good, aggressive defense,” Ferguson said. “Definitely still looking at improving on what we did, and we’re going to set some goals. Last year, we did a really good job of holding teams under 60 points. We lost two games last year, and both of the games that we lost, the team scored 60.” 

The Lions open the 2024-25 season on the road against Wilson Creek on Dec. 3. Tip-off is at 7:30 p.m. 

    MLCA/CCS sophomore Max Gulenko (20) evades a Waterville-Mansfield defender during the Central Washington B district tournament last season. Head Coach Emerson Ferguson said he expects Gulenko to step into a bigger role this season.
  

    Lion players celebrate by holding up three fingers after winning their third straight Central Washington B district tournament last February.
  

    MLCA/CCS junior Dennis Gulenko (32) leaps up to grab the opening tip during a game against Soap Lake last season.
  

    MLCA/CCS junior James Robertson, right, keeps his eyes on the baseline while moving toward the basket during a game against Neah Bay at last year’s state tournament.