Grace Academy falls to Lummi Nation

The Grace Academy boys basketball team hosted their final regular season game and senior night against the undefeated Lummi Nation Blackhawks on Feb. 4.

The Eagles came out on a surprising run as they earned a 5-4 lead behind their ball movement and forced the Blackhawks to take shots from the outside. After falling behind slightly, Lummi Nation took control through the rest of the quarter, utilizing their size in the post and putting on the pressure with a full-court defense. Grace Academy was forced into multiple turnovers as they finished the first quarter down 13-7. Through the rest of the first half the Blackhawks continued to keep their foot on the gas, dominating the second quarter by a score of 21-7 as they entered halftime up 34-14.

The second half was more of the same as Lummi Nation used their length and athleticism to produce steals and fastbreak points. The Eagles were outscored in the final two quarters, 20-6 and 16-9, as they took the blowout loss with a final score of 70-29.

“We knew we were going to be playing one of the better teams in the state and we learned that at points we could stick with them. I think we have a good chance at getting in the Tri-Districts, surprising a lot of people and making some noise,” said Grace Academy Head Coach Scott Carlin.

Grace Academy’s seniors came out and battled from beginning to end behind Isaac Impola, Dallas Mathews, Noah Sutton and Anthony Georgeadis. Starting wing and captain Impola led the team in points with 14 as well as totaling one three-pointer, one assist and six rebounds. The Eagles’ co-captain guard Mathews made his mark on the defensive end with five steals as well as scoring five points, one three-pointer, three assists and a rebound. Sutton, guard, came off the bench to score four points in limited minutes and grab a rebound. Georgeadis, guard, was unable to get on the scoreboard but dished out two assists and grabbed a rebound off the bench.

Nicholas Lenhardt and John Fehme stepped up in their roles as underclassmen in the starting lineup. Lenhardt, sophomore forward, scored the second-most points on the team and filled the stat sheet with six points, four rebounds, a block and a steal. Fehme, junior forward, didn’t score any points but showed his hustle with two assists, seven rebounds and three steals.

The Eagles played their last regular season game but will be looking to fight in the postseason for their shot in the 1B Tri-District Tournament that will be held from Feb. 15–22 at Mt. Vernon Christian High School.