Cold starts still killing Cardinals as losing streak reaches five

By PAUL DELANEY

Staff Reporter

There was one common thread that wound its way through the end of the week for the Medical Lake Cardinals' girls' basketball team, and yet another in the beginning of the week.

Unfortunately, what united the two were three lopsided Great Northern League losses that dropped their league record to 1-5 and 5-9 overall.

Medical Lake fell 57-39 at Pullman last Tuesday in which they led early but faded in the second half to the Greyhounds (4-1, 6-6). Friday in the Golden Feather Game with Cheney, the Cards never recovered from a 15-4 first quarter deficit, losing 53-26 to the Lady Hawks.

Saturday at West Valley it was a similar script as the Cards trailed 19-5 after eight minutes and 34-13 at the half as the Eagles cruised 62-30 and their fifth straight loss. That game ended the first half of the GNL season.

Depth is the culprit head coach Adam Inman sees as a huge factor in the fades that began after Medical Lake's victory in the Rosalia Tournament.

It's something that will be helped by the return of Makenzie Biesecker this Friday against Pullman (5:45 p.m.) and at Deer Park Saturday beginning at 4:15. Biesecker had to miss the start of league play due to some academic issues. “Mak's back and that's huge for us,” he said.

Natalie Pendell led the Cards with 11 points at Pullman with Amelia Cook adding another eight for the Cards, who, Inman said had a 20-6 lead before the Hounds came out of their haze with Shelby Cheslek pouring in 18.

“One of the most valuable things a basketball team can have is a plethora of people to call on,” Inman said. Because of injuries and illness he's suiting eight or nine players. Sabrina Earle missed last week's games because of illness and her return time is not presently known Inman said.

Another factor - emotions - likely reared its head Friday in the first annual rivalry game with Cheney. “The Spirit Game is always a tough game because there's so much going on during the week,” Inman said.

Then add in solid games from a trio of players, Allie Brown and Mandy McDowell who each scored 10 points and Laikyn Brophy who added nine. “Brophy is a good player,” Inman said. “(Allie) Brown is as tough as it comes in our league, as tough as it comes.” Cook topped all players in the game with 12 points.

“And West Valley is a squad, they're a good team,” Inman said, even without Shaniqua Nilles who sat out the game Saturday with an unknown ailment. Hannah Love adequately filled in, however, scoring 18 in a game where she got into foul trouble, played only half the game.

The Eagles shot to a 34-13 lead and never looked back. Cook had 14 points for Medical Lake and Pendell another eight.

Looking ahead to back-to-back games Friday and Saturday, Inman sees the possibility of an upset brewing.

“Pullman at home will be no joke,” Inman said. “They have been just putting it to people. But when you look at their scores we played them about as well as anybody; they have been smashing people.”

Cheslek was dominant against Medical Lake the last time out in Pullman. “My hope is on Friday that won't be the case,” Inman said. “We have some stuff for her. Mak (Makenzie Biesecker) is really strong, she's stronger than Cheslek,” Inman said. “I'll bet my mortgage on that.”

Paul Delaney can be reached at [email protected].