The top-seeded Medical Lake girls basketball squad were once again victorious in NEA district basketball tournament play on a snowy Friday at West Valley High School, keeping the Colville Indians at bay in a 46-40 victory.
The Cards came out aggressively from the tip on both offense and defense, hitting their shots in a steady scoring game. And although the Indian’s managed to tie the score early in the first quarter, the Cards never gave up the lead throughout the game, despite losing starter Allison Duncan to an injured finger in the third quarter.
With the Card girls leading 15-7 going into the second period, Jessica Lohman and Emma Maxwell responded to Colville field goals with 3-pointers. Then, with Colville creeping to within four points late in quarter, the Card’s put on some steam to surged ahead on two Jaycee Oliver free throws and an Ellie Acord field goal, and kept the ball under their own hoop to end the first half 25-19.
Colville came out hard defensively after the half, holding the Cards to nine points for the quarter. But it wasn’t enough to keep Medical Lake from maintaining their lead, even after Duncan, clearly struggling to maintain her composure over the pain, was taken to the emergency room with a finger injured severely enough to require surgery. The injury may keep her out for the rest of the season, according to head coach Kyle Lundberg.
“There is a chance that if we do advance to state that she might be ready to go’” Lundberg said.
Duncan has played 39 games in two years, averaging 2.6 points per game, racking up 14 field goals and 19, 3-pointers.
“Losing Ally was a big loss,” Lundberg said.
With two minutes to play in the third the Card’s held a 34-25 lead, but not before the Indian’s came back with a five point push to end the third quarter 34-30 Cards.
The fourth period was a mirror image of the third. It was the Card’s turn at a defensive effort, holding the Indian girls to 10 points to the Card’s 12. Oliver led a surge midway through the fourth with two free throws and a 3-pointer to advance the Cards 42-31. Not to be outdone, Jaxyn Farman answered with a two field goals to end the game 46-40.
Medical Lake’s 12 field goals were over twice Colville’s 5.
Lundberg, who has taken the Card girls to the playoffs three years running, felt Colville played “very well.” Of his own team he took a humble view of the game.
“For us not playing in eight days set us a back a bit,” he said. “We made a few silly turnovers and defensive mistakes throughout the game that let them stay close.”
Oliver led Cardinal scoring with 11 points, including going 4 for 4 in free throws. Lexie Redell was right behind with eight points and 5 for 6 in free throws. Lohman had seven points and went 1 for 2 in free throws. Farman scored six points.
Lohman was named NEA MVP. Farman earned a slot on the first team, and Oliver a place on the second team, and was recognized during the Cardinal boys basketball game at West Valley yesterday.
The top-seeded Card girls advance to the league Championship game, Wednesday at West Valley High School.
Lee Hughes can be reached at [email protected]
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