2B Boys: Nelson Drops Career-High 36 in Vikings Win

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MOSSYROCK — The Wahkiakum defense focused on Jaron Kirkley, leaving Danny Nelson to reap the rewards to the tune of a career-high 36 points in a 77-46 Mossyrock win here in Central 2B League boys hoops action on Saturday.

Coming into this game, I spoke with Jaron about finding shooters in rhythm," Mossyrock coach Kelly Ross said. "When he got the ball, he drew two or three defenders and Danny was open on a consistent basis."

Jaron Kirkley ended the night with 13 points, but his biggest contributions came on the playmaking end of the offense with six assists. As a team, the Vikings finished with 20 assists on the evening.

Nelson went 5 of 9 from beyond the 3-point arc and 10 of 12 on the inside. He also added 10 rebounds to his totals.

"We shared the ball so well and it was really nice to see," Ross said. "Everybody else did their job and Danny made a living out of it. The kids put in so much work this last year that it doesn't really surprise me."

Due to the ball movement, every active Vikings found their way on the scoring list. Bo Miles chipped in five assists and 11 boards for Mossyrock.

Joey Moore led the Mules with 23 points. Wahkiakum shot 35 percent from the field while the Vikings hit at a 45 percent percent from the floor.

Ross noted that the Vikings play at their optimum level when Kirkley focuses on more of a facilitator role.

"As much as people think he's all about scoring," Ross said of Kirkley. "When he focuses on being a total team player, that's when our team plays at its best."

Mossyrock (8-5, 10-5 overall) will travel to Adna on Wednesday.

Big Fourth Powers Ony Past Winlock

ONALASKA — The Loggers struggled to score in the first and third quarters, but put up 20 in the fourth frame to rally past Winlock in a 40-31 Central 2B League boys basketball contest here Saturday.

The win gives the Loggers a one-game lead — and the potential tiebreaker — over Winlock for eighth and final C2BL berth into the District 4 tournament, which starts Feb. 8.

Onalaska managed just 4 points in both the first and third quarters, and trailed 22-20 heading into the final stanza.

“The kids were able to make some plays down the stretch,” Logger coach Dennis Bower said. “I’ve got to give Winlock credit. Nick (Bamer) has done a great job with that program. They took the lead in the third quarter, and it looked like it could go either way.”

Jacob Modica led Onalaska with 13 points, and Jack Beck scored 11 with back-to-back 3-pointers in the fourth quarter, along with drawing a key charge.

Wyatt Dean led Winlock with 11 points, and Dawson Hall added 8.

Onalaska (4-11, 3-10 league) hosts Toledo on Wednesday. Winlock (4-11, 2-11 league) hosts Toutle Lake the same night.

Tigers Too Much for Adna in 56-48 Win

NAPAVINE — The Tigers were able to pull ahead in the second quarter and held onto that lead for most of the second half en route to a 56-48 Central 2B League win over Adna here on Monday.

Peyton Stanley led Napavine with 22 points and helped the Tigers win their 10th league game of the season.

“It was a well-played game by both teams and it was pretty close the whole way,” Napavine coach Rex Stanley said. “We were just able to keep that cushion most of the second half.”



Napavine outscored Adna 15-7 in the second quarter for a 27-21 halftime lead.

Tanner Rigdon led Adna with 16 points, and Garrett Trotter added 13 points and 11 rebounds. Wyatt Stanley had 12 points and nine rebounds for the Tigers, while Chase Van Wyck also hauled in nine rebounds.

“Chase has been nursing a sore ankle for most of the season but he’s put together a good week against Onalaska and Adna,” Stanley said. “He’s starting to heal up and that’s nice to have down the stretch.”

Napavine (11-3, 10-3 league) hosts Pe Ell on Wednesday. Adna (7-7, 6-6 league) hosts Mossyrock the same night.

Morton-White Pass Wins Ninth Straight, Tops Toledo

MORTON — Toledo gave Morton-White Pass the challenge it wanted before districts, but the Timberwolves still came away with a 69-52 Central 2B League victory here on Saturday.

Morton-White Pass’ ninth-straight win kept the T-Wolves undefeated in league play.

“It had a district feel to it and both teams played really well,” Morton-White Pass coach Tony Gillispie said. “Toledo came out in the second quarter and shot really well. Joe Wallace had a great shooting night for them and kept them in the game.”

Wallace, who finished with 24 points, sparked the Indians, who were down 18-10 after the first quarter. Toledo trailed Morton-White Pass just 32-28 at the half.

The Indians couldn’t keep the Timberwolves at bay for long, as Morton-White Pass won the third quarter 18-11 and pulled further away in the fourth. Reece Wallace scored 14 points for Toledo, but three different Timberwolves finished in double digits.

Kaleb Poquette led Morton-White Pass with 23 points, while brother Matt Poquette had a double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds. Gage LaClef added 15 points.

“That’s Gage’s fourth game with around 15 points and he’s really been helping us in scoring and taking part of the load off Kaleb,” Gillispie said.

Morton-White Pass (14-1, 13-0 league) plays at Wahkiakum on Wednesday.

Trojans Fall to Ducks

PE ELL — A Toutle Lake miss was a rarity on Saturday night against the Trojans, as the Ducks came away with a 60-46 Central 2B League win after fending off a ferocious Pe Ell comeback. Dustin Lusk scored 20 points for the Trojans, but that couldn’t make up for Toutle Lake shooting 50 percent from the field.

“We played four quarters and that was good to see,” Pe Ell coach Justin Phelps said. “They just played a better game. I thought we did a really good job on the defensive end but they were just so efficient.”

Pe Ell trailed 29-17 at halftime, but outscored the Ducks by 6 in the third quarter and at one point trailed by only 2 points.

“I was proud of the fact that they battled back,” Phelps said. “I was proud we didn’t shut down and fought through it.”

Lusk hit four 3-pointers for Pe Ell, while Kaelin Jurek added 7 points to the Trojans’ efforts.

“Lusk showed up for us, big,” Phelps said. “Every one of those 3s were big shots.”

Pe Ell (7-8, 5-8 league) plays at Napavine on Wednesday.

Note: Toutle Lake’s Dylan Iverson and Pe Ell’s Kaelin Jurek won the sportsmanship awards for this contest.