Evergreen Lutheran continued its non league portion of girls basketball play by opening the 2009 edition of the Great Western Lutheran Shootout hosted by Evergreen Lutheran High School in a 55-18 defeat of the outgunned Vancouver (Washington) Christian Light on Thursday.

"We don't often get the opportunity to try this many new things," said Eagle head coach Jeff Kurbis. "Vancouver Christian's program is in a building stage. This is is a good lesson for our girls, too. We still don't want to slack off on defense. Our team is fast and we look to do well this season."

Evergreen Lutheran dictated the tempo of the game from Erica Hansen's drive and lay up off the opening tip all the way to the end by capitalizing on numerous turnovers. The Eagles worked for high percentage shots to run off the first eight points of the game en route to a 20-5 first quarter lead and never looked back against the Light.

Six-footer Melanie Laete scored seven third quarter points on the way to nine points and four rebounds.

"It was a good chance to work on our fundamentals," Laete related. "It just keeps us more energized. we always want to remember to never let down on defense."

Vancouver Christian scrappily competed against the quickness and experience of Evergreen Lutheran.

"This type of game makes you want to play harder to work on the things you want to work on," expressed Erika Herman, who scored her game total of eight points in the third quarter while finishing with six steals.

Scoring was spread out throughout the team in addition to Laete and Herman. Erica Hansen included a three-pointer as part of her nine points -- all in the first half. Amanda Meyer and Lindsay Sandwith each chipped in with eight points.

Five-foot-ten inch Kim Morris used a variety of her patented bank shots to lead the Light with 12 points.