2B/1B Boys Hoops: T-Wolves Topple Previously-Unbeaten Tigers

Posted

Morton-White Pass broke out for an early lead, led wire-to-wire and fended off a ferocious four-quarter comeback attempt by Napavine to deal the Tigers their first loss of the season in a 74-71 win in Central 2B League action Monday in Morton.

“We wanted to go right after them,” MWP coach Chad Cramer said.

The Timberwolves did, blasting out to a 10-12 point lead early by getting Napavine’s two big post players, Keith Olson and Cade Evander, into foul trouble. That forced Tigers’ coach Rex Stanley into some subbing situations that worked into MWP’s favor, Cramer said.

But the Tigers wouldn’t go quietly. Napavine erupted in the fourth quarter by draining 11-of-13 3-pointers to pull within three. But MWP hit enough shots down the line and converted on enough free throws to hold them off for the win. In all, the Timberwolves hit 21 more shots and 11 more free throws than Napavine.

“They just shot the lights out, but we were able to keep swinging back,” Cramer said.

Tyler Blake led MWP with 34 points and 10 boards, while sophomore Carter Dantinne scored 25 and pulled down 12 rebounds and Gary Dotson added nine points and 12 boards.

The Timberwolves won the glass battle by 13.

“We knew we had to rebound by committee,” Cramer said. “They’re a great team, they shoot the ball well and they’re tough inside.”

Napavine was led by James Grose, who had 23 points, while Laythan Demarest added 16 and Gavin Parker had 10.

“This was good for us,” Cramer said. “We’d been in a slide. We’ve been within four points or ahead in the fourth quarter of all five of our losses and couldn’t close out.”

MWP improves to 2-5 overall and travels to Toutle Lake on Wednesday. Napavine falls 5-1 overall and hosts Stevenson on Wednesday.

Winlock Falls in Road Trip to Cathlamet

The Cardinals kept pace with high-powered Wahkiakum for the first 14 minutes of the game, but couldn’t slow down the Mules the rest of the way in a 80-34 Central 2B League boys basketball loss Monday in Cathlamet.

Winlock was within striking distance at 28-21 in the second quarter, only to see the Mules end the first half on a 14-0 run.

“We weren’t shooting it particularly well, but we were working our butts off to hang in there,” Winlock coach Nick Bamer said. “We were just out of gas.”



The Cardinals then lost point guard Landon Tiemens to a rolled ankle early in the second half, further complicating matter. Tiemens finished with a team-high 17 points.

“It went from bad to worse in a hurry,” Bamer said. “But we battled. I’m pretty proud of the kids — as proud as I can be, getting a butt-whooping like that.”

Abraham Mohsin filled in at point guard in the second half and played well, Bamer noted, and Aiden Freitas rebounded well.

Brodie Avalon led Wahkiakum with 26 points. Jake Leitz added 25 for the Mules. 

Winlock (2-3) hosts Rainier on Wednesday.

Vikings Run Past Columbia Adventist 63-45

Gunner Mulligan scored 20 points and Mossyrock overcame a slow start to beat Columbia Adventist, 63-45, Monday night in 1B Coastal League boys hoops action.

The Kodiaks jumped out to a 9-0 lead, but Mossyrock called a quick timeout and switched from zone to man-to-man defense.

“We took off from there,” Mossyrock coach Adam Deck said. “We created a lot of turnovers, and I thought we really rebounded well and battled back.”

Mossyrock held its opponent to five second-quarter points and led 29-20 at halftime.

Freshman Zach Munos scored 19 points and Keegan Kolb played well, Deck noted, scoring 10 points with nine rebounds, three steals and six assists.

Warren Nelson was another bright spot.

“He had a really good game,” Deck said, pointing out the junior’s four rebounds, four assists and three points. “He did a lot of the little things that a coach loves.”

Mossyrock (5-2) plays at Willapa Valley in Menlo on Tuesday.