Lions win defensive battle against Wilson Creek

MOSES LAKE – With both teams playing strong defense in Thursday night’s Central Washington 1B matchup between the Moses Lake Christian Academy/Covenant Christian School and Wilson Creek, the Lions extended their lead to double-digits early in the fourth quarter to hold off the Devils 31-20. 

Thursday’s win gave the Lions their sixth consecutive win after a 2-6 start to the season. 

“We’d gained some good momentum the last five games,” head coach Josh Kast said. “Started kind of slow against some better competition early in the season, but since then we’ve figured out some things defensively that we’re getting better at. The big turnaround for us has been what we’re doing on the defensive side of the ball.” 

MLCA/CCS held the Devils scoreless for most of the first quarter, at one point holding an 8-1 lead, but late baskets by Wilson Creek seniors Neeley Odorizzi and Cassie Hinen cut the Lion lead to 8-5 entering the second quarter. However, the Lions began the second quarter with a second-chance three-pointer shot by sophomore Abby Stanley, later going up 15-5 and 16-9 at halftime. 

“We knew that we were going to have to do some things defensively to try and make a difference, and the girls responded pretty well,” Kast said. “I think they’re starting to feed off of what they do defensively, and they get excited about it.” 

The press defense of the Lions forced numerous Devil turnovers, especially in transition. 

“I probably should have had us better prepared or done more to help our girls in those situations,” Wilson Creek head coach Jeff Sackmann said. “Sometimes there are bad bounces, but there were some bad decisions. We got sped up, faster than we were comfortable with. That’s what we tried to do to them, and that was effective, but we got in foul trouble.” 

After the Devils cut the lead to 18-14 with just over two minutes remaining in the third quarter, MLCA/CCS sophomore Amelia Shopbell connected on all four of her free throw attempts after being fouled on back-to-back possessions. Eighth grader Shaylen Kast added another basket to extend the Lion lead to 24-14 entering the final frame, where MLCA/CCS held on for a 31-20 win over the Devils. 

“She stepped up and hit four big shots there,” Kast said of Shopbell. “Overall, she’s been one of those kids who has grown from her role as a defensive player. Tonight, she hit a couple shots and changed the momentum going into the fourth.” 

Thursday’s game was the third meeting between the Lions and Devils this winter, with Wilson Creek having won both of the prior matchups; a 30-27 win on Dec. 3 and a 34-24 win on Dec. 28. 

“They do a good job of trying to shut Shaylen (Kast) down inside and our post players inside as far as their zone offense goes,” Kast said. “They like to crowd the middle and make us hit outside shots. We were able to create some offense from our press tonight and created some turnovers. We knew were going to have to do that defensively to change some things from the first two games.” 

The 20 points for the Devils were their second-fewest in a game this season. 

“The tables were turned tonight, and they did that to us,” Sackmann said. “Credit to them, they had a good plan and did a good job. We weren’t able to respond and weren’t able to hit shots, didn’t take good enough care of the ball. Our girls played hard, their effort on defense and rebounding was good – we held them to 31 points, and most nights that would be good enough to win. Tonight, it wasn’t.” 

MLCA/CCS improved to 8-6 with the win and 5-1 in league games. According to the WIAA, they are second in the Central Washington 1B league standings. 

“We set some goals about a week and a half ago, to try and be in the top four of our league to possibly host a home game,” Kast said. “It’s small things that we’re trying to work our way to as we build for the future.” 

Thursday’s loss dropped the Devils to 8-6 overall and 4-1 in league games, checking in at fourth in the standings. 

“Adversity happens, getting in foul trouble happens – sometimes, there are some nights when shots don’t fall,” Sackmann said. “We’ve just got to move on.” 

Box score 

WLCR: 5-4-5-6 20
Lions: 8-8-8-7 31 

    Wilson Creek freshman Kaydence Leslie (2) lays the ball in for a basket during the first quarter against MLCA/CCS on Thursday.  

    MLCA/CCS junior SanTahna Ferguson (2) defends against a Wilson Creek player during the first half of Thursday’s game. Ferguson tied for a team-high eight points Thursday night against the Devils.  

    Wilson Creek sophomore Lila Sackmann brings the ball past half court during Thursday’s game against MLCA/CCS.