Lions best Columbia Adventist in semis

SPOKANE — The Moses Lake Christian Academy/Covenant Christian School Lions move on from the state semifinals after a stunning 57-43 comeback victory over the Columbia Adventist Kodiaks. Following their victory, the Lions prepare for the fourth-place game Saturday morning against Liberty Christian. 

“We’re pretty tired and exhausted from a long season, but us seniors know that we have to finish the season strong and bring home some hardware,” said Lions senior James Robertson. 

It was a close matchup at tipoff, with the Lions and Kodiaks trading blows in the first quarter. The Lions fell behind in the latter half of the second half after an injury took Max Gulenko out of the game and MLCA/CCS trailed 22-26. 

Robertson said the team's mindset at halftime as the Lions collectively decided they were not going to end their season on a loss.  

Lions Head Coach Emerson Ferguson said the team did not start out the way they wanted to, likely due to nerves from this potentially being their final game of the season. During the half, the focus for both the players and coaches was to bring back the energy that they are known for to round out the game. 

“The boys look to me for that energy. They look for me yelling on the sidelines,” said the coach. “They look for me challenging them and holding them accountable to the standard that we’ve set and if I’m not doing that, they’re not able to get what they’re used to.” 

The energy shift from the sideline made a big difference for the second half as Coach Ferguson said the players immediately responded.  

The Lions came out of halftime with new life as they put out a dominant offensive performance to claim the lead. The momentum shift was felt on the court after Lions senior Johnny Ferguson made back-to-back dunks to increase their lead. 

Dunks have been a staple of Johnny’s this season as he has at least one recorded dunk from each home game. 

“It just kind of flows, but I’m looking if (the opponent) is close and then if I see an opening I’m going to try and dunk it,” he said. 

This performance continued into the fourth quarter as the Lions gained a defensive foothold on the court. Despite a strong performance from the Kodiaks throughout the state tournament, MLCA/CCS claimed the 14-point victory to head into the finals. 

Johnny was the top scorer for the Lions, sinking a total of 24 points into the basket Friday morning. Following him was Robertson with 12 points and Treyson Kast with 11.  

Coach Ferguson said he was proud of the efforts from the Lions against Columbia Adventist as they kept the game close throughout the first half, which helped them gain the opportunity to build their momentous comeback in the second half. 

“We hit some shots when we needed to and were getting the feel for things,” he said. 

With the finals match quickly approaching, the coach said the whole team is excited to bring home hardware after Saturday’s matchup in the finals, but the Lions have set their sights to win with a fourth-place finish. 

“That’s a legacy that we get to take with us forever,” said coach Ferguson. 

Robertson said he is feeling great as MLCA/CCS prepares for their final matchup of the basketball season. Johnny agreed and said the boys are ready for one last tough matchup. 

“It’s going to be a tough one, but we’re just going to try our best,” said Johnny. 

BOX SCORE 

COAD: 11-15-9-8: 43
MLCA: 10-12-25-10: 57

    James Robertson, a senior from MLCA/CCS takes a free throw shot in the semifinal round of the 1B state tournament.
  

    Treyson Kast, a junior from the Lions works to rush past a Kodiak defender during the 1B state semifinals.
  

    MLCA/CCS freshman Roman Gulenko makes his way past a Columbia Adventist defender as he works toward the net.

    Kevin Jorgensen, a junior from MLCA/CCS puts the ball in the bucket for two points against Columbia Adventist.
  

    Lions senior Dennis Gulenko leaps up to make a layup during the 1B state semifinals against Columbia Adventist.