TUMWATER — The Wolves hit six 3-pointers in the first quarter and never looked back, topping W.F. West 68-48 here Tuesday in Evergreen 2A Conference boys hoops action.
The Bearcats trailed 22-10 after a quarter, with the Black Hills burying nine first-half triples.
“It was a tough night. They got extremely hot in the first half,” W.F. West coach Chris White said. “We fought to 10 (points) multiple times but couldn’t get over the hump.”
Kayden Kelly led W.F. West with 22 points, including a quartet of 3-pointers, while Carter McCoy added 11 points and Tyler Speck chipped in 10.
“Kayden Kelly, specifically, was an absolute warrior tonight,” White said. “He fought tooth and nail the entire night.”
Zach Crumley led Black Hills with 21 points. Avery Armin added 16, and Weston Ainsworth scored 11 — including three first-half 3s.
W.F. West (10-5, 3-2 league) plays at rival Centralia on Thursday.
ROCHESTER — The Warriors played a much closer game this time around, but still couldn’t get past Centralia in a 61-52 Evergreen 2A Conference loss here Tuesday night.
Anthony Groninger led Rochester with 15 points, while Sawyer Robbins chipped in 10.
Matt House scored 15 to lead Centralia, with Derek Beairsto chipping in 14 points and Benito Valencia adding 10.
The Warriors had lost to Centralia, 79-48, back on Jan. 7, and coach Derrick Pringle was happy with his team’s improvement.
“They played extremely well, and we’re real young,” Pringle said. “So for them, this game was like a victory for them on the moral part.”
Groninger hit a 3-pointer in the fourth quarter that cut Centralia’s lead to 52-48, but the Tigers hit enough free throws — going 11 of 20 in the final frame — to keep their advantage.
Landon Hawes also played well, Pringle pointed out.
“He’s our sparkplug,” Pringle said. “He really gets the team going. They feed off of him, on the offensive side and the defensive side. He’s one of those quiet leaders.”
Rochester (0-15, 0-5 league) plays at Aberdeen on Thursday night. Centralia (3-12, 2-3 league) hosts rival W.F. West on Thursday.
