MOSES LAKE - Mayor Ron Covey proclaimed Feb. 27 Moses Lake High School "Chiefs" Women's Basketball Day, in recognition of the team qualifying for a state tournament.

Deputy Mayor Richard Pearce read the proclamation to a packed assembly Tuesday.

The basketball team made school history Saturday when they qualified for the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association 4A Basketball Tournament, held at the Tacoma Dome.

"A 21-5 record is remarkable," Pearce said.

Referring to a 48-46 overtime loss to Pasco on Friday, Pearce jokingly added the team should avoid 2-point losses in the future.

Coach Matt Strophy said he attributed the success this year to "talent, hard work, dedication, perseverance, and the last word that we always use is, 'together.'"

After the assembly, the team headed to Western Washington for an afternoon practice in Fife, Wash. A social gathering was planned for 6 p.m. at the Tacoma Dome.

Moses Lake plays its first game Wednesday at 5 p.m. at the Tacoma Dome against Everett School District's Henry M. Jackson High School.

The team plays again Thursday, but their opponent and start time depends on if they win tonight. If they win Thursday, the Lady Chiefs continue playing on Friday and Saturday.

"We're all so pumped and excited," said co-captain and senior Ann Noyes, 18. "This had been our goal from the beginning, so we're just happy we reached our goal."

Noyes attributed the team's success to their desire to win and the team's chemistry.

Co-captain and senior Lorin Montgomery, 18, mentioned team chemistry as well.

"If we're not playing basketball, we're together somewhere," Montgomery said.

She anticipated the biggest challenge to the team would be playing in an unfamiliar place. The team is taking a lot of fans with them to the tournament, which will help the team feel at home, she added.

Henry M. Jackson High School has a high-caliber team, Montgomery said. Moses Lake's team already competed against some of the teams going to the state tournament, including Jackson, she said.

Noyes anticipated the biggest challenge to the team would be adjusting to the new situation and getting teammates to play hard.