Thursday's Boys Basketball: Loggers Rumble in Coach Nelson’s Return to Mossyrock

MOSSYROCK — Nearly three decades since he served as coach of Vikings boys basketball Wayne Nelson returned to Mossyrock as head coach of the Onalaska boys roundball squad. In his big return to his alma mater here on Thursday Nelson was able to hold his head high as his new charges downed his old school 78-32 in non-league hoops.

The Loggers put the heat on Mossyrock right from the jump and stretched out a 32-4 lead after just one quarter that became 50-15 at the intermission.

“Basically what it was is Wayne Nelson runs flex. Wayne Nelson’s run flex his whole life and he’s always going to run flex. And as much as we told our kids, they couldn’t figure out how to defend it until we got into that second quarter,” explained Mossyrock coach Jordan Hunter. “I mean that first half that flex cut just killed us. We just didn’t defend flex at all in the first half.”

For the game the Loggers hit nearly 50 percent from the field, including six of 15 3-point attempts. Onalaska’s offensive outpouring was paced by Kayden Allison’s team-high 14 points and game-high seven rebounds. Cade Lawrence added 12 points for the Loggers while Carter Whitehead poured in 11 points. Ashton Haight and Alex Frazier added 10 points each for the visitors.

Meanwhile, Mossyrock managed a field goal percentage of just 31 percent while missing all of their eight three point tries. Darren “Deuce” Kolb led the Vikings with 26 points and three assists.

“Obviously when your senior point guard puts up 26 you’ve got to talk about him a little bit,” noted Hunter. “Darren Kolb scored every point or assisted every point we had tonight. And he also had four steals.”

Hunter noted that he called up two freshman players to help fill in the ranks on Thursday.

“Those guys probably never thought there was any way they would be playing in a varsity game this year, but there they were,” said Hunter in reference to Warren Nelson and Mateo Mendoza.

With Wayne Nelson back in the Vikings gymnasium for the first time as an opposing head basketball coach some in the community wondered if the night might serve as a reunion of sorts.

Hunter quickly put out the kibosh on that idea, noting, “I didn't see the fans react any differently than they would to any other opposing coach.”

For his part Nelson was not surprised by the lack of fanfare.

“Things have been a little chilly with us and Mossyrock for the last few years because of football,” he said. “It felt good because we won and my two week old granddaughter was there so I got to see her.”

Onalaska (3-1) will play Morton-White Pass in Randle at 7 p.m. on Saturday. Mossyrock (0-2) will host Tenino at 7 p.m. on Saturday.

Rashoff Hits Game Winner for T-Wolves Over Mules

CATHLAMET — Kaleb Rashoff came off a series of ball screens, received the basketball and drained a 3-pointer to lift Morton-White Pass to a 48-45 win over Wahkiakum in a non-league boys basketball game here on Thursday.

Rashoff finished with 19 points to lead all scorers. Hayden Young added eight points for MWP.

Wahkiakum’s Lucas Brown and Logan LaBerge each scored 10 for the Mules.

MWP coach Chad Cramer drew up the play and noted the players executed it perfectly.

“He got a good look and knocked it down. He’s becoming a big time player and made a big time play,” Cramer said.

The T-Wolves led by two points after one quarter but dominated the second quarter for a 26-15 lead at halftime.

The roles were reversed in the third quarter as the Mules came back and closed the gap to 33-31 going into the fourth quarter, where Rashoff’s shot won the game.

“We played OK. We worked really hard. Defensively, we did some good stuff, especially the first half,” Cramer said. “It is notoriously difficult to shoot there. We had a lot of shots that went all the way down and popped out on us, especially the third quarter.”

MWP (2-1) hosts Onalaska on Saturday in Randle in a non-league game.

Toutle Lake Edges Winlock in Double Overtime

WINLOCK — Bryce Cline made a 3-pointer at the buzzer in regulation to send the game to overtime, but Toutle Lake was able to prevail in double overtime 66-62 in a non-league boys basketball game here on Thursday.

Cline scored 24 points to lead all scorers. Logan Grabenhorst scored 21 points to lead the Ducks and Mike Adams added 18 points.

Winlock gained a 21-16 advantage after one quarter and kept it going in the second quarter for a 33-25 lead at halftime.

Toutle Lake made their comeback in the second half, outscoring the Cardinals 26-20. Cline’s shot at the buzzer sent the game to overtime.

“Just like I drew it up. It was a nice little 3-point shot for him,” Winlock coach Nick Bamer said. “He scrambled around from nearly half court and it went in. That was a big shot for us, it was exciting.”

The Ducks outscored Winlock in the overtime frames 15-11.

Bamer noted the key came down to free throws, with the Ducks unable to shoot it well in regulation while the Cardinals struggled in overtime.

“It was a whole different team showed up tonight then on Tuesday. It was a fun atmosphere and our kids really competed I’m really proud of them,” Bamer said.

Bamer also complimented the play of Coleson Richendollar, playing quality defense on Adams and making it a tough night for him.

Winlock (1-3) travels to Kalama on Saturday for a non-league game.