Onalaska started slow against North Beach in an elimination game on Friday, but the Loggers kicked it into gear after the break and pulled away for an 84-47 victory.
Onalaska led by 12 at the break, but Onalaska coach Fred Sturza was not pleased with the way his group was executing.
He said that the first half was one of their worst of the season, noting a lack of communication on defense and a lack of focus on offense.
It felt a little like nerves due to being a young team in a loser-out game,” Sturza said.
The second half was much smoother, as the Loggers outscored the Hyaks 44-19 after the break.
Sturza said that Haze Hamrick and Gage Stoner helped get the team going off the bench with their communication and effort on defense, which led to some easy buckets.
Hamrick finished with a game-high 24 points, and he also brought down 10 rebounds for the double-double.
“I was really impressed with Haze tonight,” Sturza said. “He comes off the bench and gives us a spark every night.”
Noland Brady also turned it on after the break and finished with 23 points, including five three-pointers, and he also tallied seven steals, seven assists, and five rebounds.
Maddox McKinley added 10 points, six rebounds, and three steals, Brodey Triana scored eight points, and Ethan Thayer finished with six.
Austin Sturza and Logan Sturza both pitched in four, Stoner and Cooper Albertson both scored two, and Angel Cerseda added 1.
With the win, the Loggers (12-11) are through to the second round of the elimination bracket, putting them two wins away from a trip to state. They’ll play Mossyrock in Castle Rock on Wednesday, and the winner of that will play either Adna or Napavine (whichever team loses that semifinal matchup) in a winner-to-state game in Chehalis next Friday, Feb, 20.
