The Medical Lake boys varsity basketball crew came away empty handed on Saturday in non-league play after losing 80-62 to the rival Cheney Blackhawks at their annual Spirit Game competition, held this year at Eastern Washington University's Reese Court.
The Blackhawks outgunned the Cardinals in nearly every statistical column except two: 3-pointers - and fouls.
"They played a much better game than last year," head coach Noel Hachtel said of his players. "They just outsized us again."
Hachtel felt the Cards were able to keep up with the "very physical" Cheney players, and were able to hang with them in the first half. But they didn't come out to play in the second half.
Cheney's defense managed to keep Medical Lake's 6-1 guard Sam Gollehon away from the basket the entire night. Gollehon has averaged 14 points per game this season.
"Sam didn't get on the board," Hachtel said. "They put up some good defense on him and that made it a little difficult."
Cardinal fouls also allowed Cheney the opportunity to net 78.3 percent of their free throws to the Cards 47.1 percent.
In the 2-point category, Cheney sank 28 to Medical Lake's 15. And despite outshooting Cheney from outside the key 8 points to 2, the Cards were just not able to outscore their rivals except in the fourth quarter. But by then it was too little too late, and not enough to overcome Cheney's substantial lead.
The Blackhawks have won three in a row of the last five games against the Cardinals at the Spirit Games, according to Hachtel, who tipped his hat to the Card rivals.
"Cheney's a good team," he said.
Senior and team captain Alex Stith led Cardinal scoring with 17 points. Garren Garza scored 13. Jordan Petersen led the team with 5 fouls.
Lee Hughes can be reached at [email protected].
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