In the Wicks of time

REARDAN - Freshman Olivia Wicks scored only two points against Lind-Ritzville/Sprague/Washtucna/Harrington, but they were the points that mattered the most. Her basket with 13 seconds left in the game clinched the Screaming Eagles' 44-43 win Saturday, Jan. 6.

From the start, Chasyn Waters, Reardan's high-energy eighth-grader, and Broncos' sophomore Zoe Galbreath took charge of their respective teams on the offensive end of the court. They ended up scoring six points apiece in the first quarter.

Tenice Waters matched her sister with six points and Addy Colbert tossed in five points for LRS. After one quarter, Reardan led 16-13.

Reardan's defense stiffened in the second quarter. The Screaming Eagles challenged the Broncos' shooters, and when they missed, Mackenzie Bjornberg and Tenice Waters were there to collect the rebounds. Each pulled down five in the quarter.

Chasyn Waters' stellar play around the basket resulted in 10 points in the quarter and 16 points for the half. Galbreath led LRS with 13 first half points.

At the half Reardan led 29-20.

In the second half, Reardan played less frenetic, and with more deliberation. LRS clawed back. With less than a minute remaining in the quarter, the Broncos stole two passes, resulting in easy lay-ins to bring them to within four points, 39-35.

With 3:47 left in the final frame, LRS took the lead 41-40 on a basket by Galbreath. She added two more free throws with 1:25 left to give her team a 43-42 lead.

After a missed shot by the Screaming Eagles, LRS set up their offense, hoping to increase their lead. Wicks stepped into a passing lane and stole the ball.

The Screaming Eagles worked the ball around on offense, finding Wicks alone near the free throw line. She sank the shot to give Reardan the 44-43 win.

"I was a little nervous because I had just missed a shot, but I was confident," Wicks said.

Chasyn Waters and Tenice Waters ended the game with 22 and nine points, respectively.

"This was a tough game to coach, but I'm satisfied we won," Reardan head coach Bob Swannack said. "We didn't buy in defensively until the end. Sometimes we are undisciplined and go rogue, but when the girls are disciplined, we are really good."

Galbreath scored 25 points to lead the Broncos.

The win improved Reardan's record to 5-2. LRS dropped to 7-6.

The Screaming Eagles then got a convincing win over winless Upper Columbia Academy Tuesday, Jan. 9.

Reardan controlled the game from the tip en route to a 73-10 victory.

The team is at Colfax Friday, Jan. 12.