MOSES LAKE - The Moses Lake Christian Academy (MLCA) Lions are hoping to capture their fourth straight district championship this year and make a deep run in postseason play.

The team finished 10-0 in the 1B Central Washington Conference, 22-4 overall, won back to back league titles, and was ranked as high as No. 2 in the polls. The Lions alsoqualified for state for the third year in a row.

But the team was bounced out of the tournament, losing to eventual State Champion Almira/Coulee-Hartline.

However, if MLCA intends to get back to the big stage, they'll have to do it with a scaled down roster, as the team had a small turnout, and is only returning three players from last season's squad.

"This year's team is going to be much different than the last four at MLCA. We only have nine player's total, which makes it much tougher all the way around," coach Duke Wood, now in his fourth season at the helm of the program, said. "But I do feel if we work hard and build off of each other by playing as a team, and every player steps up to their ability, we can make another run into the playoffs."

Leading the way for the Lions this season is 6'3" senior Lowell Kirkwood who was named First-Team All Conference last year. Joining him in the front court is 6'1" senior Quade Godfrey.

"Lowell has worked very hard to get to where he is now, and will be a great leader for our underclassmen," Wood said. "Quade is in his fourth year in the program and will see a lot of playing time this season."

New faces on the team isn't the only thing that will be different this year as the conference has made some changes as well.

"Our league has changed a bit, with the addition of Pateros, Waterville, Soap Lake and Entiat. We have also gone to a North - South split. MLCA will be in the South along with Soap Lake, Wilson Creek, Cascade Christian, Thorp and Columbia Basin Secondary School," Wood said. "The North will consist of Mansfield, Entiat, Pateros and Waterville. I expect the South to be wide open and I believe any team on any given night this year can beat anybody. All the teams will match up pretty well, which will make for an exciting season."

The Lions open the season at home Dec. 1 against nonleague foe Odessa/Harrington