King’s Way Christian girls look ahead after loss in district final

KELSO — Randy Graves tried to show perspective. Heads were hung as the King’s Way Christian girls basketball team exited the court following a 48-37 loss to No. 5 ranked Elma in the 1A district title game.

But in the loss, Graves said, exists two overarching positive takeaways. Despite Saturday night’s result at Kelso High School, the Knights are still one of three teams from the district with a state berth, which means the most accomplished season in program history is not done.

“It’s unfortunate we didn’t get the win, but this is the farthest we’ve ever made it,” MacKenzie Ellertson said. “There’s still more games to play. It sucks that we didn’t win, but we’re OK. Next game, looking forward.”

Ellertson scored a team-high 13 points and Hannah Moats added 10 to lead King’s Way. Elma was paced by Jalyn Sackrider’s 14 points. Quin Mikel added 11.

King’s Way played within one point in the first half, but Elma held it to four points in the second quarter and took a 13-point lead into the half.

Putting Saturday’s game in perspective was the easy part of Graves’ postgame speech. Over the last two years, Elma beat the Knights by 55, 30 and early this season by 22. By staying close, the Knights proved they were a different team than even two months ago, he said.

“They knew we were a different team,” Graves said. “We came out and played like that.”

The Knights cut the deficit to single digits in the fourth quarter, but Elma held on. Mikel hit a jumper to go up 43-32 with two minutes left and King’s Way was forced to foul from there on out.

“We got some momentum then they’d go up again, so it was just back and forth. Games are like that sometimes,” Ellertson said.

The loss ends a 13-game win streak that was amassed as the Knights went undefeated (10-0) in 1A Trico League play.

“Time to start a new streak,” Graves said.

ELMA 48, KING’S WAY CHRISTIAN 37

Elma — Jayln Sackrider 14, Jillian Bieker 2, Kaelyn Burgher 2, Ella Moore 0, Kissed Olson 0, Alle Bol 0, Kayli Johnson 3, Quin Mikel 11, Molly Johnston 8, Kali Rambo 8. Totals 19 (3) 10-21 48.

King’s Way — Bethany Hitchin 0, Kinsey Tindol 0, Kira Zook 0, Hannah Moats 10, Annabelle Atwood 0, Laurel Quinn 0, Gigi Conway 0, Abby Cummins 6, Tyra Schroeder 2, MacKenzie Ellertson 13, Lacey Took 6. Totals 15 (4) 3-5 37.

Elma 12 16 9 11 — 48

King’s Way 11 4 11 11 — 37