CASTLE ROCK — James Grose, once again, broke a significant scoring record.
Standing on LeBaron Court on Wednesday, though, the Napavine junior was more concerned with the fact that he’ll have at least two more games to add to his burgeoning point total this season.
Grose led the way as the Tigers survived a grim first half and then fired in 33 third-quarter points to rough up Ilwaco, 77-54, in a loser-out 2B District 4 boys basketball tournament consolation game.
The 6-foot-3 guard entered the game just four points off his team’s career scoring record (1,384), held until Wednesday night by 2017 Napavine graduate Wyatt Stanley. Grose hit a 3-pointer for the Tigers’ first points, then cashed in a short fast-break jumper to tie things at 5-5 midway through the first quarter.
“I’ll be honest, I have no idea,” he said afterwards on the record. “I’m trying to make it out of districts.”
That second part was in question early on. Ilwaco, the No. 2 seed out of the Pacific 2B League, slowed things down against the uptempo Tigers and got sophomore forward Karsen Denault in foul trouble to lead 27-26 at the intermission.
And then the pace picked up and Napavine’s offense followed suit. The Tigers poured in 33 third-quarter points and used an 18-4 run to turn a slog into a rout.
“It’s just how these tournament games go,” Napavine coach Rex Stanley said. “You’re just trying to get to halftime and then win the second half.”
Denault scored all 14 of his points after the break and added 15 rebounds, while Jack Nelson chipped in 11 rebounds. Jarin Prather scored 10 points and went 3 of 6 from long range.
“In the first half, we didn’t shoot that well and we weren’t taking great shots,” Stanley said. “We settled down a bit and were able to get Denault involved a little bit.”
The Tigers won the second half 51-27, flashing the firepower that won the Central 2B League title and earned Grose the league’s co-MVP honors.
Grose — already owner of the Tigers' single-game and single-season scoring record — finished 15 of 28 from the field, 6 of 9 from long range and 6 of 6 at the foul line, scoring almost exclusively within the flow of the offense.
“You can’t get more efficient than him. This is what he does every night,” Stanley said. “You can’t speed him up; he’s just got a really good feel for the game. Offensively, he’s the best I’ve ever seen at Napavine.”
Grose scored 13 in the pivotal third quarter, capping the frame by taking a give-and-go handoff, driving baseline, tiptoeing around a fallen player under the hoop and tossing in a reverse layup without losing his balance.
The Tigers shot 49% from the floor in the win and out-rebounded Ilwaco 41-25. Kyle Morris led the Fishermen with 22 points. Beckett Turner added 16 and Sam Needham scored 11.
Now Napavine (19-4) continues through the consolation-bracket, taking on Pacific 2B League champion Chief Leschi on Friday in Chehalis. The winner seals a regional bid and plays for third place, while the loser plays yet another loser-out game on Saturday.
“It’s a grind. Your team has to be focused,” Grose said. “It’s tough, definitely harder, but I believe our team can do it. We love a battle.”
