Medical Lake girls rolls past Newport, 65-23

MEDICAL LAKE — They had not played in well over a year and lost the last vestiges of a core of players who brought notable success.

But featuring just a handful of players with varsity experience, the Medical Lake girls began their 2021 spring Northeast A League season with what head coach Kyle Lundberg indicates is an impressive start after a 65-23 win over Newport on the road May 19. A Friday contest vs. Colville was cancelled.

Over the past three seasons his teams have compiled a 54-24 overall record with the 2016-17 squad going 23-2 and reaching the state tournament.

Fresh off the Cardinal track team where she stood out in both hurdles and the discus, Amblessed Okemgbo, dished out a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds in a game shortened to three quarters due to the “mercy rule.” Medical Lake led 40-14 at the half and a 26-9 third quarter ended things early.

Tyana Newman had 11 points along while Ellie Haas and Ellie Acord both scored 10 points. 

“We only have four players with varsity experience, so six girls got their first experiences,” Lundberg wrote in an email.

Among those players were Charde Luat, the lone freshman who got her first varsity experience. “She played great on the defensive and offensive side,” Lundberg said. “She will be seeing a lot of playing time moving forward.”

The schedule picks up this week with games at Lakeside (May 24), at Deer Park (May 26), at Freeman (May 27) and hosting Newport (May 29).

Paul Delaney is a retired Free Press Publishing reporter and can be reached at [email protected].