KELSO — The reigning 2B State Champions will get the chance to defend their title.
The Napavine Tigers clinched their state tournament berth with ease on Thursday in Kelso, defeating Onalaska 66-26 in a 2B District 4 Tournament Winner-to-State Game.
“You come to Napavine to play basketball, that’s the expectation,” Napavine coach Shane Schutz said. “Every kid that puts on a jersey, that’s their goal. It’s to get back to Spokane. They were driven to get back there.”
The Tigers wasted no time taking control, as Hayden Kaut hit two early threes to put Napavine up 8-0 and force an Onalaska timeout just over two minutes into the game.
The Loggers settled in over the next five-plus minutes, ending the quarter down eight, but Napavine went on a 27-2 run in the first 5:14 of the second to extend their lead to 41-8.
“That first quarter, we battled,” Onalaska coach Alana Olson said. “I thought our defensive intensity was decent … It snowballed in the second.”
Emalie Jacoby ended the run with a pair of back-to-back threes, but those six points were the only points she would score all night. Schutz credited Taylen Evander for her effort on Jacoby, saying that she’s the best defensive player in the league “by far.”
“That’s what makes her a special player,” Schutz said. “She had a great game.”
A 13-0 run to open the third put the Tigers up 42, cueing the running clock for the final 12 minutes of game action.
Onalaska never got going offensively, shooting just 6 for 40 from the floor (15 percent) and turning the ball over 24 times. The Tigers turned those 24 turnovers into 29 points on the other end.
“They were just physically stronger than us tonight,” Olson said. “They always do a good job pressuring, and we didn’t do a good job of handling that pressure.”
Kaut went on to finish with an 18-point, 16-rebound double-double, and she also dished out four assists. Evander scored 12 points and added four assists, while Jessie McCoy scored 11 points and grabbed four rebounds.
Ava Ondong scored eight points and had four rebounds of her own, while Nicholle Valentine finished with four points, seven rebounds, three steals, and a pair of assists. Hannah Fay and Alexis Schutz also scored four points apiece.
“I thought every kid came ready to play tonight and contributed,” Shane Schutz said. “And that was fun to watch.”
Jacoby’s six was enough to lead the Loggers, while Kiley Talley scored four and Renzy Marshall added three. Randi Haight, Kaiyah Sandridge, and Karsyn Koenig both scored two, as did Delaney Marshall, who played the final game of her high school career.
Delaney Marshall, along with Renzy and Reese, her two sisters, transferred to Onalaska before the basketball season began, and Olson was thankful for Delaney Marshall’s effort from Day 1.
“I just appreciate that she was always willing to play whatever role we needed her to play,” Olson said. “The attitude that she had and her willingness to be a great teammate, I really appreciate that about her.”
The Loggers finish their season 17-8 and expect everyone back, including Jacoby, a first-team All-C2BL honoree.
“I’m proud of their effort, always,” Olson said. “To end your season like this is not what anyone wants. It leaves a bad taste in your mouth. But I hope that it’s something that we can use for motivation in the offseason.”
The Tigers (18-6) will take on Mossyrock in the 2B District 4 Third-Place Game on Saturday afternoon at W.F. West before learning their state seeding and Opening Round opponent on Sunday.
“Every game we get to play just gives up a little bit more experience,” Schutz said. “We’ll get another game in to get ourselves ready for Regionals.”
