Napavine holds off Rainier to win third-place game

The Napavine boys basketball team went up double-digits early against Rainier on Saturday, but needed a strong finish to top the Mountaineers 46-39 in the 2B District 4 Third-Place Game in Chehalis.

Napavine led by eight after the first and led by as much as 11 early in the second, but the Mountaineers chipped away and entered the fourth down just one.

Napavine regained control in the final frame, outscoring Rainier 12-6 in the fourth to take third.

Karsen Denault led the Tigers with 20 points, eight rebounds, five blocks, and three steals, while Hudson Chambers and Beckett Landram added seven points apiece. Cal Bullock and Jack Nelson both scored six, while Bullock logged six rebounds, five assists, and a pair of steals and Nelson added 10 rebounds.

Peyton Sheaffer led Rainier with 11 points, while Hunter Howell tallied nine points and eight rebounds. James Meldrum and Josh Meldrum scored eight each, and Josh Meldrum added five rebounds. James Meldrum had three points and five rebounds.

The Tigers (21-3) and Mountaineers (15-10) will find out their seeding and Regional Round opponent on Sunday, when the state tournament brackets will be released.