The ball is knocked loose as Centralia's Michael Ajoge (14) attempts an alley-oop Tuesday night at Ron Brown court in Centralia.
Centralia's Blaine Wass (33) scores a layup on a fast break Tuesday night at Ron Brown court in Centralia.
Centralia's Michael Ajoge (14) takes a shot from just outside the paint Tuesday night at Ron Brown court in Centralia.
Centralia's Tyler Milton (30) snags a rebound Tuesday night at Ron Brown court in Centralia.
Centralia's Nathan Crews (22) drives in Tuesday night at Ron Brown court in Centralia.
Centralia's Derek Beairsto (32) tries to snag a rebound Tuesday night at Ron Brown court in Centralia.
Centralia's Michael Ajoge (14) makes a shot in the paint Tuesday night at Ron Brown court in Centralia.
Centralia's Michael Ajoge (14) draws the foul and one, Tuesday night at Ron Brown court in Centralia.
Centralia's Nathan Crews (22) leaps up in an attempt to snag a high pass Tuesday night at Ron Brown court in Centralia.
Centralia's Michael Ajoge (14) makes a shot in the paint Tuesday night at Ron Brown court in Centralia.
The Tigers couldn’t get into a rhythm in the opener at home on Tuesday, falling to Capital 57-26 in a non-league boys basketball game.
Andrew Kahn and Michael Ajoge each scored eight points to lead Centralia. Malakai Emmons added six points and Garrett Strophy had the final two points.
Nathan Crews had a team-high three rebounds. Centralia shot just 28 percent from the field while Capital shot 48 percent from the field.
The Cougars jumped on the Tigers early, gaining a 12-2 lead after one quarter and a 38-8 lead at halftime.
“From the get go, we didn’t have a lot of rhythm. We ran our offense well early in the game,” Centralia coach Kyle Donahue said. “They got up a little bit and we started getting a little bit panicky and settling for not great looks. We didn’t take care of the ball well and didn’t find our rhythm early in the game.”
Donahue was pleased with the performances of William Brown and Crews.
“We got down but we kept fighting, kept our heart in it,” Donahue said. “Brown had a good floor game for us. Crews stepped up later in the game with heart and a spark to pick it back up.”
Centralia (0-1) travels to Montesano on Thursday for a non-league game.
Eatonville Comes Back to Defeat Rochester
EATONVILLE — The Warriors played a solid first half, but didn’t play a great second half to fall to Eatonville 73-52 in a non-league boys basketball game here on Tuesday.
Rochester was led by Bryce Lollar with 18 points and Keegan Goldrick was the other Warrior in double figures with 16 points.
Eatonville’s Tristan Schoepf led all scorers with 23 points.
The Warriors shot just 29 percent from the field and were outscored 26-7 in the third quarter to allow the Cruisers to pull away for the win.
“If we could have played a half and got on the bus, things would have looked a little closer and better,” Rochester coach Mark Goldrick said. “It was a first game out for coaches too and I don’t think I did a good job. On top of that, we didn’t execute very well. They got hot and we got cold, it just got away from us.”
Rochester (0-1) hosts Morton-White Pass on Friday in a non-league game.
Winlock Tops Wahkiakum in Opener
WINLOCK — Winlock’s Bryce Cline recorded a double-double to help the Cardinals earn a 47-41 win over Wahkiakum in a non-league boys basketball game here on Tuesday.
Cline scored 18 points and grabbed 11 rebounds. Coleson Richendollar led the Cardinals with 19 points and Alan Contreras had a team-high 12 rebounds.
“It was a first game, they knew what we were going to do. It was tough to get buckets, we’re both still finding our rhythm offensively,” Winlock coach Nick Bamer said. “It was a battle, The ball was bouncing the right way that enabled us to come out on top. It was ugly but we’ll always take a W.”
Winlock shot 30 percent from the field but outrebounded Wahkiakum 44-27. The Cardinals jumped out to a 14-9 lead after one quarter and carried a 23-16 lead into halftime.
The Mules started kicking in the third quarter, scoring 16 points to take a 32-31 lead after three quarters. Winlock righted the ship in the fourth, gaining a lead and making free throws down the stretch to clinch the victory.
Winlock (1-0) hosts Naselle on Saturday in a non-league game.
Monday’s Result
Beavers Saw Off Seagulls
RAYMOND — Tenino started their campaign off on the right foot here Monday night when they downed the Seagulls 54-47 in a non-league boys basketball tipoff.
The opening night victory was earned through a concerted second half effort that saw the Beavers erase a 10-point halftime deficit.
“We just played a little bit better defense in the second half and took care of the ball,” said Tenino coach Joe Chirhart.
Chirhart said he thought his team might have turned the ball over on all three of their first possessions and wound up coughing it up 17 times total in the first half. However, in the second half Tenino committed just seven turnovers, including a solitary error in the fourth quarter.
“I think the first game jitters were in play and we dug ourselves a little bit of a hole,” noted Chirhart. “We got lucky and pulled one out.”
Fortunately for Tenino the Seagulls also turned the ball over 24 times in the game which afforded the Beavers enough time to get their bearings.
Yngwie Dowies powered the Tenino output with a 23 point, 14 rebound double-double. Paxton Russell added seven points for the Beavers and Harly Whitaker chipped in six points. Frisco Villa added five points and five steals.
“Dowies had a big game and took care of the glass and got a lot of put back opportunities,” said Chirhart.
Chirhart added that freshman Takari Hickle helped to get Tenino on the right track with a spurt of inspired play to start the fourth quarter and his team showcased a balanced scoring attack.
“Nine different kids scored and that’s kind of cool,” Chirhart said.
Tenino (1-0) will play at Rainier on Thursday.
