KELSO — This time last winter, the Toledo boys basketball team took the floor in the district semifinals. The Riverhawks were just one win away from the state tournament, and even after they lost that semifinal, they had two more chances to punch their state ticket.
They lost both of those games.
Toledo earned its way back to the district semis this season. On Wednesday, it took the floor in Kelso against C2BL champion Napavine. Like last year, a loss wouldn’t be the end, as they would have another opportunity to get to state.
They left nothing to chance this time around.
“We talked about putting them on their heels,” Toledo coach Grady Fallon said. “Just about going at them and not being scared to lose.”
The Riverhawks got the upper hand immediately and never looked back, clinching a spot in the 2B District 4 championship game and a state tournament berth with a 55-42 victory.
“They’re all cheering and stuff (postgame), and I just said ‘I don’t have any words for you,’” Fallon said. “‘I’m so proud of you guys.’”
It’s the first time that the Riverhawks have made the district title game and qualified for state since 2019, when they won the district title before finishing fourth at state.
It was clear early on Wednesday that Toledo was on its A game.
The Riverhawks opened the game on a 12-4 run, featuring six points from Tyce Vigre. Eli Weeks helped them extend their lead, as he scored five points during an 11-2 run that put them up 25-8 midway through the second.
The Tigers weren’t helping themselves offensively, as they turned the ball over 15 times in the first half.
“You just can’t turn the ball over that many times and expect to win,” Napavine coach Eric Hersman said “We could play third graders and turn it over that many times, we’re gonna lose.”
They were able to limit the turnovers in the second half, but they weren’t able to hit enough shots to get back within single-digits. They shot just 16 percent from the field in the first half, and they ended the night with a mark of just 25.9 percent from the floor and a 22.2 percent mark from three.
“As long as Fallon has been there, they’ve been a good, solid defensive team,” Hersman said, crediting Toledo’s defense. “It was really effective tonight … If you can’t make it from inside and can’t make it from outside, it’s a tough game.”
Beckett Landram finished with 13 points to lead the Tigers in scoring, while Karsen Denault scored 11 points and added seven rebounds, six blocks, and four steals. Cal Bullock scored seven points, Hudson Chambers logged five, and Jack Nelson recorded six points, nine rebounds, and three assists.
After his hot start, Vigre cooled off a bit in the second, but he added eight more points after the half to finish with a game-high 16.
He’s no stranger to postseason success. While at Mossyrock last season, he helped the Vikings get all the way to the 1B state championship game, playing some of his best basketball of the season in the state tournament.
Vigre said the move to Toledo came easy to him, as he has played select ball with several of his teammates for multiple seasons.
“I know what they like to run, and I know they like to go fast,” Vigre said. “I know we gotta win it, so I just give it everything I can. I’m really excited. It’s really fun.”
Adam Kruger finished with 11 points and six rebounds, while Trevin Gale also hit double-figures with 10 points. Weeks and Cooper Fallon scored seven each, and Fallon also brought down 16 rebounds. Conner Hill added four points.
Both Napavine and Toledo’s next games will be in Chehalis. On Friday, the Tigers (19-3) will play Forks, the P2BL’s top seed, in a winner-to-state bout at 3 p.m.
“We’ll have our hands full,” Hersman said. “Hopefully we can crack that code on Friday and play for a couple more days. We’re blessed to still be playing.”
Toledo will get to play in the coveted Saturday night slot at 8 p.m., when it takes on Adna in the 2B District 4 Championship Game.
“That was our goal, to get a chance to cut down the nets,” Grady Fallon said. “They brought it, and brought it, and brought it … I’m so proud of these guys.”
