Blackhawk girls snap losing streak

The Cheney girls earned their first basketball victory of 2024 amidst the memorable setting of the school's rivalry game on Jan. 31.

The Blackhawks used a solid second half to put distance between themselves and the Rogers Pirates to win 61-44 in their part of the "Railroad Rumble" played at Eastern Washington University's Reese Court. That ended a 10-game losing streak dating back to Dec. 22.

Cheney capped the week with a 65-38 loss at home to University in a Greater Spokane League game. The Blackhawks (0-8 GSL, 4-15 overall) finished the season at home Feb. 6 vs. North Central (0-8, 2-17).

"Rogers was definitely a great win, one that was much needed for morale," head coach Meredith Richards wrote in an email. "It's been a tough season, losing games that we should have won and getting beat by some extremely talented GSL teams."

Kayelee Kohlman's 15 points led the way for Cheney which increased a 21-16 halftime lead to 42-32 after three quarters. Macey Richards added 14.

Playing in the more spacious EWU arena augmented Cheney's success, Richards said.

"Something about playing in a bigger arena helps our shooting confidence," she said. "We shot 43 percent from 3-point range when we normally average 18."

The electricity generated by the loud crowd that gathered for the rivalry game was missing at home against U-Hi.

"The atmosphere, unfortunately, on Friday was drastically different from the spirit game," Richards said. "The gym was eerily silent."

And so was Cheney's offense that never fully awakened, trailing 34-19 at half and by 29 points after three quarters.

Cheney led early, 6-0, forcing three turnovers and pushing University to call an early time out to make changes. Afterwards, "We kinda' fell flat after the initial offensive, and defensive attack," Richards said.

Kohlman again led Cheney with 12 points.