This season’s Napavine Tigers looked a little different than the 2023-24 version.

Like any team, they had lost a few seniors, including 2023-24 All-Area MVP James Grose, and they also had a new coach after longtime coach Rex Stanley retired.

This year’s group still had Karsen Denault, though, and the senior forward didn’t miss a beat in his final high school season.

He averaged 20.3 points, 9.2 rebounds, 4.0 steals, and 2.2 blocks per game while shooting 46 percent from the field en route to being named both the C2BL MVP and The Chronicle’s All-Area MVP.

“I’m gonna look back when I get a lot older, and I’m gonna be really proud of myself,” Denault said. “I’m happy with what I’ve done.”

This season was Denault’s best, but he also earned first-team all-league honors as a junior and as a sophomore.

In each of the last three seasons, he helped the Tigers reach the state tournament, placing as high as fifth in 2024.  That same season, Napavine won its first district title since 2011.

The postseason didn’t go as well this season for Denault and the Tigers, but they still earned a third-place finish in the district tournament and made it to the state tournament in Spokane.

In Spokane, they were eliminated in the Round of 12.

“We didn’t get as far as I wanted,” Denault said. “But you know, it happens. Still made it to state. It’s a great way to end on.”

When talking about his success on the court, Denault was quick to give credit to his coaches, Stanley and Eric Hersman, and all of the teammates he has played with.

“Really couldn’t ask much more,” Denault said. “They really pushed me as hard as I could. I got better at everything I did every day, and it was a great season.”

Denault would likely have the option to play collegiate basketball if he wanted to, but he’ll be sticking to the gridiron and playing college football.

In January, Denault was named the 2B Offensive Player of the Year by the Washington State Football Coaches Association, and he’s received offers from Whitworth and George Fox, a pair of Division III Universities that compete in the Northwest Conference.

“I’ll make my decision here soon,” Denault said. “I appreciate everyone who’s stuck through it with me.”

The Chronicle’s 2024-25 All-Area Boys Basketball Team:

James Morgan, Black Hills

Morgan averaged 15 points, 7.4 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.5 steals per game to win EvCo MVP honors as a sophomore and lead Black Hills to its first league title since 2020.

Austin Gonia, Tenino

Gonia averaged 19.1 points per game and 8.6 rebounds per game, helping Tenino overcome a 2-11 start and make the state tournament. As a result, Gonia was named the 1A Evergreen MVP.

Grady Westlund, W.F. West

A walking double-double, Westlund averaged 12 points, 16 rebounds, and two blocks per game to earn first-team All-EvCo honors.

Cooper Fallon, Toledo

Fallon dominated the post all season long for the Riverhawks, shooting 56 percent from the floor while averaging 15.7 points, 15.3 rebounds, 4.3 blocks, and 1.2 steals per game while leading Toledo to its first district title and state tournament appearance since 2019.

Judah Kelly, MWP

The area’s leading scorer, Kelly scored 27.4 points per game and added 5.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.6 steals per game en route to earning first-team honors in the C2BL.

Trevin Salme, Adna

Adna’s sharpshooter had a stellar sophomore season, hitting 38 percent of his threes and averaging 16.7 points, 4.5 assists, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.6 steals to lead Adna to the district championship game and back to the state tournament.

Jake Meldrum, Rainier

The Rainier senior averaged 13.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.8 steals, and cleared the 1,000-career point mark to earn first-team all-league honors and lead the Mountaineers to the district semifinals and the state tournament.