By Mike Maltais
The young but persistent Liberty Bell High School varsity girls’ basketball team continues to search for its first win among league and non-league opponents comprised of older, more experienced players.
In their last four outings, coach Deed Fink’s roster of largely freshmen and eighth graders has run a gauntlet of tough opponents.
Against Pateros on Dec. 10, the Lady Lions were outscored by 30 points, 54-24, by a Nannies team that went to state last year.
“We were out-rebounded probably two-to-one,” said Fink, “and turnovers continue to be a problem.”
Junior Sarina Williams led Liberty Bell with 10 points, “and she scored all of those in the final quarter,” said Fink.
Sophomore Monica Chavey and freshman Lauren Fitzmaurice added seven points each.
Omak overcomes
A senior-heavy Omak team handed the Lady Lions a 69-15 loss on Dec. 12.
Led by senior Shawnee Covington with 26 points, the Pioneers hit seven three-pointers that alone would have been adequate to seal the win.
Williams again led Liberty Bell with eight points. Chavey scored five and freshman Exie Romero added two.
Waterville triumphs
The scoring was spread more evenly among six Lady Lions against Waterville on Dec. 17, but that didn’t stop the Shockers from an easy 55-28 victory.
“Once again it was their senior guard against our freshman guard,” said Fink. “Everybody we are playing has senior leadership out front.”
Williams and Fitzmaurice scored eight points apiece to lead Liberty Bell. Chavey added six, while Romero, eighth grader Haley Bakke and Julie McMillan, the team’s only senior, each hit for two points.
Entiat wins
The Tigers had little trouble outdistancing Liberty Bell, 77-14, at the Toyota Town Center on Dec. 20, but the Lady Lions started the game by hitting over half of their points early in the first quarter.
“We scored nine points in the first three minutes,” said Fink. “We started out by pressing them but were unable to maintain the pace.”
The Tigers hit six three-pointers in the course of the game, while Williams led the Lady Lions with six points. Chavey and McMillan hit three points each and Romero added two.
The Liberty Bell girls will be at Tonasket for the Christmas Tournament on Friday and Saturday (Dec. 27-28). The Lady Lions will play Okanogan at 2 p.m. Friday and return for a final game against either Lake Roosevelt or Tonasket Saturday afternoon.
