MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Christian Academy/Covenant Christian School Lions enter the 2023-24 season after back-to-back state tournament berths, aiming for a third-straight appearance in the 1B Boys State Basketball Tournament.

MLCA/CCS won both the regular season league and district tournament titles last season.

“We returned some pretty experienced (players), two guys that started every game last year and a couple guys that started for various reasons,” MLCA/CCS coach Emerson Ferguson said. “We’ve got some decent experience coming up this year.”

Among the returners are senior starters Jonah Robertson and Caleb Jones, both of whom received all-league nods during the 2022-23 season. Ferguson said that sophomore James Robertson is one of the players who will have his role increased significantly this winter.

“He’s a sophomore this year, started the season as our starting point guard; just a really solid player with excellent vision,” Ferguson said. “He’s been really solid to start the season, and that’s going to pay huge dividends because that allows Jonah (Robertson) to move to the guard position.”

With all the returning experience, it allows early-season practices to run more smoothly.

“There’s less that has to be introduced to start the season, it’s more refining and the repetition,” Ferguson said. “That really cuts down on the learning, and allows you to improve.”

Ferguson said the Lions’ mentality and on-court communication have been standouts so far throughout practices.

“I’m seeing chemistry come together a lot earlier than I’ve seen before, so I really liked that,” Ferguson said. 

MLCA/CCS surrendered 43.6 points per game last winter, and Ferguson said that there will be a focused effort on the defensive end this season.

“The emphasis for us is really on the defensive end,” Ferguson said. “I know that we can score, but can we stop other teams from scoring? A big, heavy emphasis on our team defense and individual defense, really getting the team to commit to the defensive side of the ball this year.”

The Lions earned a No. 5 seed at last year’s state tournament, winning their Round of 12 game against Sound Christian before losing to DeSales and Orcas Island. While the team lost all-league talents Michael Podolyan and Jeff Boorman from last year’s roster, that experience of playing in the Spokane Arena for the returners will be important. 

MLCA/CCS placed sixth in the 2021-22 state tournament.

“For some of the younger guys, that experience of coming going allows them to understand what the big picture is; why are they doing this, what are we playing for?” Ferguson said. “That’s the big one. Going to state last year was huge for a lot of those younger guys who are going to have to step into bigger roles this year.”

To make another run through districts, it’ll require players to stay healthy.

“We’ve got to make sure that we take care of our bodies, mentally and physically,” Ferguson said. “If we can stay healthy, we’ll be fine. I think that we have a great shot. Our league is going to be pretty tough this year, and I think if we stay healthy we can come out on top again.”

Ian Bivona may be reached at ibivona@columbiabasinherald.com.

MLCA/CCS Boys Basketball Schedule

Nov. 30 — @ Oakesdale — 6:30 p.m.

Dec. 4 — @ Wilbur-Creston-Keller — 6 p.m.

Dec. 5 — @ Manson — 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 12 — vs. Soap Lake — 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 15 — vs. Waterville-Mansfield — 6 p.m.

Dec. 16 — vs. Entiat — 6:15 p.m.

Dec. 19 — vs. Bridgeport — 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 30 — @ Almira/Coulee-Hartline — 4:30 p.m.

Jan. 6 — vs. Sunnyside Christian — 4 p.m.

Jan. 9 — @ Riverside Christian — 7 p.m.

Jan. 13 — @ Waterville-Mansfield — 5:30 p.m.

Jan. 16 — @ Soap Lake — 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 22 — vs. Prescott — 6:30 p.m.

Jan. 23 — @ Entiat — 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 1 — @ Cascade Christian — 7:30 p.m.

    MLCA/CCS senior Caleb Jones (50) takes a shot under the rim last season. Jones received first-team all-league honors last season.
  

    MLCA/CCS senior Jonah Robertson is one of two returning players who received all-league nods.
  

    MLCA/CCS sophomore Dennis Gulenko looks to shoot the ball against Entiat last season.