EPHRATA — The Moses Lake Mavericks basketball team went on the road to face the Ephrata Tigers, the first game of the season for both teams. The Tigers showed grit on the court, but the Mavs took home the victory with a final score of 48-23. 

“I felt like things were a little shaky; we had a lot of adrenaline,” said Mavs Head Coach Matt Strophy. “We had a couple of air balls at the top and so we settled in and settled down.” 

The Mavs made a good start over the Tigers with a strong defensive performance in the first half. MLHS kept up the pressure on the net and kept Ephrata under 10 points until the final few seconds of the half, when Maycee Black scored a layup to put the score at 23-11.

Strophy said the performance from Moses Lake’s Maiya Lam is what really got the team going in the first hal,f as she led the Mavs in scoring and put the team in the right direction for the remainder of the game. 

Coming back from the half, the Tigers stalled the Mavs' offensive front for a time, but in return were also limited to scoring six in the third quarter. The Mavs shot back up in the final quarter, where they earned 18 points and claimed the 48-23 victory. 

The post play from Addyson Burns, Addisyn Reffett, Alivia Johnson and Tristan Raymond was something that Strophy said he was very pleased with and highlighted the players’ individual strengths in unique ways.  

He said that the defensive performance from the Mavs in the second half from Boo Bischoff and Ella Wiltbank was what really allowed them to stretch the lead as far as they did. 

“Primarily those two, but others would pick up and create a little havoc, so we kind of coined that term ‘annoyingly gritty’ and that’s what we started the third quarter with, and I think that allowed us to stretch that lead,” said the coach. 

Despite the loss, Tigers Head Coach Alain Black said this was still a strong start. Tuesday’s matchup showed this team the speed of the game and what it will take for them to win this season. 

“We have a lot of young kids coming either from JV or eighth grade, so just adjusting to the speed, the strength of the game and taking that lesson from today,” said Black. 

The Tigers are coming into this season with no seniors on the roster this season and only three junior returners in Hannah Malone, Bailey Falconer and Evangeline Springs. Since the team is made up of mostly young underclassmen, she said this year is going to be focused on playing to their individual strengths to build up these players. 

“They’re all very coachable kids, fun to be around and so that’s been an enjoyment, but playing to our strengths, our speed and that kind of stuff,” said Black. “We know there are going to be some ups and downs, but know that there is a future and we’re going to keep getting better every day.” 

With their first victory under their belt, Strophy said he wants the Mavs to remain cautiously optimistic as they head into their next few games against one of the top 3A teams in Kennewick on Thursday and a 4A opponent, Ferris, from the Greater Spokane League on Friday. The Mavs will be preparing for each of these games as they come, so they can be dialed in and have their minds set on what’s directly in front of them. 

For the Tigers, Black said the mindset leading up to their next game will be to increase their defensive pressure. The players will need to box out their opponents and use their speed to their advantage. 

“Just (playing to) our strength,” she said. “Not playing afraid, but playing strong and pushing on people.” 

The Mavs will be heading on the road Thursday to play Kennewick at 5:45 p.m. and then will play their first home game Friday against Ferris at 5:30 p.m. The Tigers’ next game is on the road Friday against Chelan at 5:45 p.m. 

BOX SCORE:  

EPHT: 7-4-6-6: 23 

MLHS: 14-9-7-18: 48 

EPHRATA TIGERS ROSTER:  

Name, Jersey, Grade 

Alexis St. Mary, 4, 10 

Hannah Malone, 5, 11 

Sophie Molitor, 10, 9 

Bailey Falconer, 12, 11 

Jillian Linehan, 14, 10 

Cassidy Cox, 20, 10 

Maycee Black, 24, 9 

Aiyana Valle, 30, 10 

Evangeline Springs, 40, 11 

Ellie Kono, 44, 10 

MOSES LAKE MAVERICKS ROSTER: 

Name, Jersey, Grade 

Josie Carlstrom, 1, 9 

Katelynn Prentice, 3, 11 

Addyson Burns, 5, 12 

Addisyn Reffett, 10, 12 

Breanna ‘Boo’ Bischoff, 12, 11 

Yaretzi Madrigal, 20, 10 

Reese Char, 22, 9 

Ella Wiltbank, 24, 10 

Maiya Lam, 30, 11 

Sophia La Grave, 32, 9 

Alivia Johnson, 34, 12 

Tristan Raymond, 40, 9 

    Alivia Johnson, a senior for MLHS, finds an opening to sink a 3-pointer during Tuesday’s game against Ephrata.
  

    Ephrata junior Hannah Malone looks for an opening on defense while Yaretzi Madrigal from Moses Lake stays posted on defense.
  

    Boo Bischoff, a junior for the Mavs, makes her way toward the net after taking possession of the ball.
  

    Sophomore Alexis St. Mary from the Tigers goes in for the layup during Tuesday’s matchup against Moses Lake.
  

    MLHS freshman Reese Char runs down the court to add two onto the scoreboard for her team during their first game of the season against Ephrata.
  

    Maycee Black, a freshman for the Tigers, plans her next move as she makes her way down the court after gaining possession of the ball during Tuesday’s game against the Mavs.
  

    Maiya Lam, a junior for Moses Lake, works to maintain possession of the ball while Maycee Black, a freshman from Ephrata, looks for an opportunity to make a move on the ball.