Boys Hoops: Keegan Kolb’s 27 Points Fuels Vikings

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Sophomore Keegan Kolb poured in a game-high 27 points, hauled in nine boards and collected five steals as Mossyrock blew past visiting Three Rivers Christian, 61-18, on Saturday in 1B Columbia Valley League action.

Senior Ryan Bellino added eight points and 10 rebounds and junior Gunner Mulligan chipped in seven points, eight assists and five steals. The Vikings rebounded from Tuesday’s loss to Willapa Valley.

“I applaud our defense for staying focused against a young team that is where we were just a few years ago,” Mossyrock coach Adam Deck said.” We didn’t overlook them and we played like they were Naselle or Valley.”

Mossyrock (7-3, 7-2 league) takes on the Comets and Vikings in back-to-back games next week, starting at Naselle on Tuesday and hosting Willapa Valley on Wednesday.

“We have to play well and we have to be disciplined on defense or we will come out of those games 0-2,” Deck said.

Beavers Nab First Win of the Season

Tenino trailed all the way until late in the fourth quarter, hit clutch free throws down the stretch and came away with its first victory of the season in a 62-59 win over visiting Elma in overtime Saturday in 1A Evergreen Conference action.

The Beavers trailed by 11 at the half, 11 and the end of the third quarter and outscored Elma 14-3 in the third, fueled by Takari Hickle icing two free throws with 20 seconds left in regulation to tie it up and send it to overtime.

The Beavers carried their momentum into OT, hitting 7-of-8 free-throw attempts while holding the Eagles to six points to secure the victory. The Beavers hit 12-of-15 free throws combined in the fourth quarter and OT, including 19-of-27 for the entire game.

“We are a scrappy team,” Tenino coach Joe Chirhart said. “That was a fun game. Everybody gets skeptical in overtime. We continued putting the gas pedal to the floor and stayed attacking.

Tenino’s lone senior Conleth Jackson tore it up, scoring a team-high 24 points and 12 rebounds on 9-of-17 shooting. Hickle added 18 points and 12 boards on 7-of-13 shooting.

“When you’ve got two big men who can dominate the key, it makes things a lot easier,” Chirhart said. 



The Beavers also got big performances from eighth grader Noah Schow, who had 10 points and six assists, Brody Noonan and Will Feltus, who drained two crucial free throws in overtime.

Tenino overcame Elma sinking seven 3-pointers in the first half, then held the Eagles to zero points from downtown in the second half.

“We’ve been picking up steam,” Chirhart said. “Everybody did their job. I’m hopeful and excited for the future of Tenino basketball.

Tenino (1-6, 1-5 league) to Rochester for a 7 p.m. matchup on Monday.

Tigers Fend Off Vikings

Napavine freshman James Grose scored a game-high 23 points and the Tigers’ overcame hot shooting from Willapa Valley from long range for a 69-56 non-league victory at home on Saturday.

Junior post Keith Olson added a double double of 18 points and a game-high 15 rebounds.

Napavine recovered from allowing a 26-point second quarter to Willapa Valley by holding the Vikings to 11 and 12 points in the third and fourth quarters, respectively.

“We were able to establish a lead and hold it,” Napavine coach Rex Stanley said. “James is pretty much good for 20 a night and Keith was just dominant today.”

Willapa Valley was led by Tyler Adkins 13 points as the Vikings drilled 10 3-pointers on the night.

“They’ve got kids that can shoot,” Stanley said.

Napavine (7-2, 4-2 league) hosts Kalama (6-1, 6-2 league) on Wednesday.