Just like the Napavine Tigers had been in the game prior, W.F. West coach Kyle Karnofski wanted to see where his team stacked up.
An early clash with a reigning 2A semifinalist provided just the challenge the Bearcats were looking for, and they were able to come away with a 49-45 victory in the second game of the W.F. West Winter Showcase to remain undefeated.
“I thought we were resilient all night,” Karnofski said. “I like the toughness that we showed. I think that’s something we can build off of and carry that through the season. It was good for us to be able to do that.”
The Bearcats held a slim lead throughout much of the first half, but they scored a flurry of points just before the half to enter the locker room up 13.
Dilyn Boeck and Julia Dalan led the way for the W.F. West offense, combining for 25 of the Bearcats’ 30 points. Amanda Bennett scored the other five.
“We have a couple different ways we can do some stuff,” Karnofski said. “Having options like that are great.”
The Bantams didn’t go quietly, though. They got back to within seven by the end of the third, and late in the game, it was as close as a two-point game in the fourth.
Dalan hit one of two at the line to push it back to a two-score game in the final minute, and the Bearcats held on.
“I was really proud of the group as a whole,” Karnofski said. “That was a tough game and we were resilient.”
Boeck went on to finish with a team-high 26 points, while Dalan finished with 14.
Karnofski also commended the play of Amanda Bennett, who added five points and provided a spark in other areas on the floor.
“She was absolutely phenomenal,” Karnofski said. “Rebounding, boxing out, you name it, she was all over the place. I was really proud of her.”
W.F. West (3-0) will be back in action at home on Saturday, when it will take on King’s in its second matchup at the Winter Showcase.
The Knights took down Napavine earlier in the evening on Friday, and they are led by Division I guard Kaleo Anderson.
“She’s special,” Karnofski said. “It’s a great matchup. “They’re gonna come with a plan, and I think it’s gonna be a fun matchup.”
