Life Christian’s 2B title hopes end in quarterfinals; Evergreen Lutheran advances in 1B

Sometimes teams have a tough time shooting in the first round of these state tournament games, playing in such grand and different environments.

The Life Christian Academy boys basketball team had that issue in the 2B state quarterfinals on Thursday at Spokane Arena. Lind-Ritzville/Sprague didn’t.

And the third-ranked Eagles’ state-title run fell two games short as they lost, 62-57.

Life Christian coach Mark Lovelady said in a phone interview that it was a somber locker room afterward.

“It was pretty deflated,” Lovelady said. “It just seemed like everything was setting itself up for a championship run this year. Or at least to get to the championship game.

“So they were pretty deflated. Especially the seniors.”

Lind-Ritzville/Sprague advances to the 2B state semifinals to play Mossyrock at 9 p.m. Friday. Life Christian (23-3) beat Mossyrock for its district title two weeks ago.

Just like last year, the Eagles head to the consolation bracket, where they will play Friday Harbor at 2 p.m. Friday.

Luke Lovelady led Life Christian with 23 points and 12 rebounds. Reid Roelofs scored 14 points.

But Life Christian made only 1 of 13 3-point attempts and sank only 32.8 percent of its shots overall.

Lind-Ritzville/Sprague was 10 of 24 on 3-pointers and made 40.8 percent of its shots. That helped compensate for being dominated on the glass, 36-22.

Life Christian was riding a 15-game winning streak. It last lost to 3A Sumner in California on Dec. 29.

“Usually first day of the tournament you aren’t shooting the ball well,” Mark Lovelady said. “They were taking some deep shots. You have to give them credit.”

CLASS 1B GIRLS

Evergreen Lutheran 62, Taholah 48: In the first half, Emily Holder took over with 16 of her 18 points.

Then came her sister — and the Evergreen Lutheran defense.

It all added up to the school’s first state-tournament win since 2010 — and the Eagles’ second semifinal berth ever. The last one came in 2007.

Taholah was blistering hot in the first half at the Spokane Arena, shooting 13 of 23 from the field to grab a 33-32 advantage.

But Jessie Holder scored seven of her team-high 18 points in the third quarter as the Eagles (21-2) went on a 14-6 run in the first 6:48 of the second half.

Taholah (15-8) cooled off considerably in the second half, going 5 of 23 from the floor. Karleena Walther led the team with 13 points.

Staff writer Todd Milles contributed to this report

This story was originally published March 3, 2016 at 11:21 PM with the headline "Life Christian’s 2B title hopes end in quarterfinals; Evergreen Lutheran advances in 1B."