SPOKANE — Napavine came out of the locker room at halftime looking like a different group on Wednesday.
After a rough first half against No. 10 Freeman in a 2B State Round of 12 matchup in Spokane, the seventh-seeded Tigers found themselves down double-digits, but they rallied back to tie the game in the third quarter before briefly taking a lead in the fourth.
“The way they played the third quarter was the way they should have played the whole game,” Napavine coach Kayden Kelly said.
That momentum was short-lived, however, as the Scotties scored 15 straight points to regain control of the game, and the Tigers eventually fell 58-47.
It’s the second year in a row that Napavine (19-7) has been eliminated in the Round of 12, the first day of action in Spokane.
“You come out slow and you dig yourself in a hole, and it was a little bit tough to overcome,” Kelly said. “Nothing’s guaranteed over here. Everybody over here is good. Everybody over here works hard. And if you don’t come out, and you’re not ready to play, you’re going to be driving home.”
The Tigers’ scored six points in the first three-plus minutes, but scored just two points across the next 8:19 of game time. With just 30 seconds left in the first half, Napavine had just 12 points, but a quick pair of baskets before the break got the Tigers within 10.
After the two teams traded buckets to open the third, Eric Bullock connected from deep, and Hudson Chambers hit a three moments later. Chambers’ three kickstarted a 13-3 Napavine run, one that tied the game at 34.
“We were just spreading some things out,” Kelly said. “We were letting our guys get downhill and find people.”
Chambers took over in that stretch, scoring all but two of Napavine’s points in the run.
“He was just getting to the hole,” Kelly said. “He wouldn’t be denied, and it was beautiful to see.”
Griffith put the Tigers in front early in the fourth, opening a 7-0 run with a three-point play before later connecting from inside to make it 42-40 Napavine. It was the Tigers’ first lead since they led 6-5 just over three minutes into the game.
The lead quickly evaporated, though, as Freeman’s Finn LaPointe took over. He hit a three to put the Scotties back in front, and he added five more points in quick succession to put them up six. Those eight points ignited Freeman’s 15-0 run, one that put the game out of reach.
LaPointe finished the night with 31 points while shooting 12 for 21 from the field, including a 4 for 5 mark from beyond the arc. He also grabbed 10 rebounds, grabbed four steals, and blocked three Napavine shots.
“He plays the whole court,” Kelly said. “He’s a tough player to play against in a tough matchup, and he had a good night.”
Griffith finished with 13 points and five rebounds to lead the Napavine offense, while Bullock finished with 12 points, five assists, and three steals. Chambers finished with 11 points and five rebounds, Tyce Vigre added seven points and five rebounds, and Cal Bullock logged four points and four rebounds.
“They all worked hard, so I couldn’t be more proud of these guys,” Kelly said. “We might not shoot good every night, but they’re gonna work their butts off every night.”
It was the final game for Cal Bullock, Grady WIlson, Tyler Watson, Vigre, Chambers, and Keven Reudas, Napavine’s six seniors.
Kelly said that he’s grateful for the work that this group put in, much of which came behind the scenes.
“People don’t understand how hard they worked on defense,” Kelly said. “Offensively, it didn’t always go, but their defense was there night in and night out. Just a fun group, and a good group of kids. Napavine’s gonna miss these seniors, and I’m gonna miss these seniors. It’s gonna be tough to replace those guys.”
Among the returners will be Eric Bullock and Griffith, who both earned all-league recognition. With those two leading the way, Kelly is confident that it won’t take long for the Tigers to be back on the floor at Spokane Arena.
“We’ll be back next year,” Kelly said.
