Lyon scores 43 in Cusick loss

CUSICK — Illness hampered the Cusick Panthers boys’ basketball team last week. They lost three games with players out or not playing well because of illness, but Daniel Lyon shone bright against Valley Christian, scoring 43 points in the 74-70 loss Tuesday, Dec. 9, at Cusick.

“When he’s turns it on, he turns it on,” Cusick coach Raymond Ostlie says. The Panthers were missing the play of one of their other high scorers, Thomas Sullivan, who was out with sickness. Ostlie says Valley Christian, who knocked Cusick out of the playoffs last year, is a tall, well-coached team. Even though the Panthers turned it on at the end, they couldn’t get the win.

Cusick hosted Inchelium Friday night, Dec. 12, losing 71-59 after a strong first quarter in which they outscored the Hornets 15-7.

Inchelium closed the gap somewhat, but the Panthers took a 27-26 lead into halftime. Inchelium took the lead in the third quarter, up 43-40 and put it away in the fourth, outscoring Cusick 28-19.

Three Cusick players scored in double figures, led by Myland Whitford with 19 points. Sullivan had 18 and Lyon had 14.

The Panthers played Northport Saturday, Dec. 13, losing 76-56.

“Northport is a really good team,” Ostlie says, with a player that is hard to defend, Peter Beardsley.

While the Panthers were healthy for this game, they weren’t into it defensively, Ostlie says.

Three Panthers again scored in double figures, led by Sullivan and Whitford, with 17. Lyon also scored 15.

Cusick will go to Nespelem for a 5 p.m. game Friday, Dec. 19. Saturday, Dec. 20, the Panthers are home against Columbia at 6 p.m., then off for winter break.