Junior guard Tyler Adkins scored a game-high 16 points and Willapa Valley overcame some staunch Pe Ell defense for a 47-34 victory over its cross-county rivals in Pe Ell on Friday.
It was a turnover-filled defensive battle from the get-go, with the Trojans holding the Vikings to just 10 first-quarter points. Unfortunately, Pe Ell couldn’t find its own rhythm offensively and was held to just three points that first quarter.
“Our defensive intensity is there,” Pe Ell coach Clayburn Lusk said. “We’ve got to get better offensively. Willapa Valley has a lot of experience. Hopefully, we can grow from this.”
Willapa Valley held a 20-14 lead at the half then held the Trojans to just four points in the third quarter to take a 33-18 lead going into the final quarter.
Pe Ell sophomore Jackson Lusk pumped in nine points in the final quarter but the Trojans were never able to close the gap the rest of the way.
Lusk ended with a team-high 13 points. Senior Joey McCalden added five points, while Joseph Krafczyk and Michael Sanford each had four. Carter Phelps, Aaiden Lee, Jesse Zard and Logan Baldwin each chipped in two.
“Our basketball IQ is getting better,” Lusk said.
Willapa Valley was led by Adkins’ 16, while junior Landin Isaksen scored 10, Joseph Pulsifer had seven and Wil Clements added five. Also scoring for the Vikings was Derek Fluke and Gavin Hampton with two each.
Pe Ell (1-2) has no time to rest and hosts Class 2B Winlock at 3 p.m. on Saturday. Willapa Valley (2-0) hosts Class 1A Hoquiam at 7:40 p.m. on Saturday.
