Cardinal girls score sweep of week's NEA games

The Medical Lake girl’s basketball team finally finished what they started last week, and they did it twice.

Their effort, Northeast A League wins at Colville 36-29 and 33-30 at home versus Newport gave the Cardinals their first weekly sweep of the season and ended a six-game losing streak.

And as the numbers might indicate, defense played a big part for Medical Lake. “Our girls have been really working hard on ensuring we contest every shot and understand their rotation assignment,” head coach Kyle Lundberg said. 

Medical Lake had one of its most productive quarters Friday versus Newport (2-4 NEA, 3-8 overall) by outscoring the Grizzlies 13-7. That gave them enough of a lead to hang on as Newport won the fourth-quarter battle 10-6.

“Our girls executed our defensive game plan really well,” Lundberg said. “We missed a few shots in that quarter, but our girls kept playing hard and played great defense.”  

Mikayla Geiger paced the Cardinals with 13 points while Bradyn Wegner added 12. “Mak (Geiger) has been great running the point and pushing the ball up the floor,” Lundberg said. “She has made a huge jump from last year and continues to work hard and keeps getting better.”

Last Tuesday at Colville (1-4, 3-8) Medical Lake got a surprising performance from freshman team call up Jaxyn Farmen who led the team with nine points.

“Jaxyn has been a great addition coming off the bench,” Lundberg said. “She gives 100 percent every time she is in the game and brings a high level of energy.”

Geiger and Wegner played their usual strong supporting role scoring eight points apiece.

“At Colville we were able to really push the ball up the floor and got some good looks and knocked done some nice shots,” Lundberg said.

The Cardinals (2-3, 3-6) have a busier than usual week with three games, two in league play and the annual Spirit Game with Cheney (4-7). Medical Lake traveled to Lakeside (4-1, 8-3) this past Tuesday and faces the Blackhawks tonight (Jan. 14) at 5:30 p.m. before hosting Riverside (3-2, 4-5) Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

The rivalry nature of the nonleague meeting with Cheney will hopefully not make the mechanics of the game change.

“We approached each game the same, we play hard every game and try our very best,” Lundberg said. “With that said, the Spirit Game is a great environment to play. We are looking forward to a great matchup with Cheney.”

Paul Delaney can be reached at pdelaney@cheneyfreepress.com.