Moffatt’s Big Fourth Quarter Carries Medical Lake To Romp

For three quarters Saturday night, the Medical Lake Cardinals couldn’t figure out a defense to stop the Chewelah Cougars.

In the fourth quarter, Cardinals guard Randy Moffatt figured the best defense was a good offense. He scored seven points in the quarter and 11 points for the game to spark the Cardinals past the Cougars, 60-56, in a Northeast A game.

Moffatt began the fourth period by draining a 3-pointer and then sinking three consecutive free throws after being fouled while attempting a 3-pointer.

“He’s a senior and we look to him,” Medical Lake coach Dave Olzendam said of his 5-foot-11 leader.

Chris Verstrate, a 5-4 senior, led the Cardinals with 16 points, including three 3-pointers.

“Verstrate provided a huge spark off the bench,” said Olzendam.

The game started with a 10-2 run by Chewelah which led to a 20-17 Cougars lead after the first quarter, thanks to eight points by Greg Rainer.

Rainer finished with 13 points to lead Chewelah. Steve Murbach added 11 points for the Cougars.

Chewelah increased its lead to 35-29 at halftime and 49-42 after three quarters. Medical Lake then began its comeback, taking a 57-53 lead with a little more than 2 minutes to go.

“We went into the huddle and decided to turn it around. We decided to find it within ourselves,” Moffatt said.

Chewelah’s Jeremy Landram hit a 3-pointer to close the gap to 57-56, but clutch free throws by Medical Lake’s Carlos Simmons, who finished with 10 points, sealed the win for the Cardinals.

“We finally got back into our rhythm and showed our poise down the stretch,” said Olzendam.

Medical Lake improved to 6-2 in league and 9-2 overall, a half-game back of Riverside (7-2, 8-3) and Freeman (7-2, 9-4). Chewelah dropped to 5-3 in league, 6-4 overall.

Medical Lake 60, Chewelah 56

Chewelah 20 15 14 7 - 56

Medical Lake 17 12 13 18 - 60

CHEWELAH Landram 6, Murbach 11, Skok 5, Keeley 0, Boone 10, Belzer 8, Rodgers 3, Rainer 13.

MEDICAL LAKE Verstrate 16, Bailey 0, Moffatt 11, Huston 12, Simmons 10, J.Deutsch 11, Fischhaber 0.