Playing what coach Rex Stanley said was its best district game, the Napavine boys basketball team battled back from a district-opening loss to Adna to win four straight, capped by a 68-53 win over Wahkiakum Saturday at W.F. West for third-place in 2B District 4.
The Tigers got hot early, with James Grose pouring in 20 first-half points to help the Tigers to a 38-26 lead at the break, and Karsen Denault added 13 points and seven rebounds to help them separate for good in a strong team showing from regionals.
“We had visions of playing tonight for a district title and all of that was taken away from us,” Stanley said. “We went from a really good regular season to loser-out games. For these guys to stay the course and stay focused, I couldn’t be prouder of them.”
Jarin Prather and Cayle Kelly each added eight points with a pair of 3s, and Jack Nelson provided some energy off the bench with five points.
Napavine finishes its regular season and district run at 21-4, with one of the best records in the Central 2B and District 4, and with a 6-1 record against teams advancing from their district.
The Tigers will find out their seeding fate from the committee on Sunday, and their first regional round opponent.
“Collectively this was probably our best district game,” Stanley said. “We’ve been good in stretches and individual guys have been great, but as a group this was our best game.”
