ML boys struggles to help build base

Medical Lake’s 2022-23 boys’ basketball season might be looked at as dismal considering their 1-19 record.

But following a pair of losses to Freeman 80-35 on Jan. 31 and 73-44 at Lakeside, Feb. 2, consider it, perhaps, a foundation for the future as many of life’s early struggles become.

“Our program had growth despite our record,” head coach Jordan Starr explained in an email. “We have a young team that will be coming back next year with experience and understanding of league play.”

Indeed, seven of the 10 players on the roster are either juniors or sophomores, and the potential returnees include regular top offensive performers like Mavrick Rasmussen, Cody Petersen and Taylor Oliver.

“The takeaway is we worked hard every practice and game night,” Starr said. “Everyone is excited for offseason workouts and summer program,” adding, “We need to get in the weight room.”

The upcoming off-season “to-do” list will include spending extra time on shooting and play a lot of games in the summer. “The kids are excited to put in the work,” Starr said. 

Medical Lake drew the top two teams in the Northeast A League to close out the regular season with Freeman (12-0 NEA, 18-2 overall) and Lakeside (8-3, 10-9) with results to prove their standing.

“Yeah, Freeman is for real,” was Starr’s assessment. “They have great balance and size. Boen Phelps (League MVP) runs that team so well.”

Kaleb Cain was the only Cardinal in double digits with 12 points against the Scotties.

Against Lakeside in a game played in Suncrest, Medical Lake trailed just 13-11 after the first quarter, but the Cardinals found out just what separated them from the Eagles.

“We gave up 25 points in the second quarter and just couldn’t keep up with scoring,” Starr said. 

Cain led all scorers with 21 points, including four 3-pointers as Medical Lake wrapped up league play. After posting a win to open NEA play Jan. 3 the Cardinals lost the rest to finish at 1-11.

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