A significant part of amassing a 14-point halftime lead was the Maverick frontcourt, with seniors Jayson Byers (pictured) and Carter Smith combining for 21 points in the first half on Friday night. Smith finished the game with 17 points and Byers scored 14 points.
January 7, 2023
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Mavs stop Eisenhower comeback attempt, win 59-54
MOSES LAKE — After jumping out to a double-digit lead in the first half, the Moses Lake Mavericks staved off a comeback bid by the Eisenhower Cadets to win 59-54 in their home court Friday night. “Any time you can win at home and win in league, that’s a win-win combination for us,” Moses Lake Head Coach Jake Hunt said. Moses Lake used strong frontcourt play by seniors Carter Smith and Jayson Byers, who combined for 21 of the 31 first-half Maverick points to help build a 14-point lead after two quarters. Smith finished the contest with 17 points, Byers with 14 and freshman forward Grady Walker scored three crucial baskets late in the fourth quarter. “That’s what I told our guys, ‘Attack inside,’” Hunt said. “Carter played phenomenal, he did some of those things that you won’t see in the stat line … I was super proud of the freshman Grady Walker coming in too; he did a good job with some buckets to help slow down the momentum.” With a strong defensive showing, Moses Lake held Eisenhower to only five points in the second quarter. To end the half, junior Kyson Thomas lobbed a pass up to Smith to go up 31-17.