Current conditions unavailable
Pe Ell and Willapa Valley went back-and-forth throughout their meeting in Pe Ell on Saturday evening, and the Trojans ultimately prevailed in a 68-61 overtime victory.
The Trojans started down 7-2, but went on a 12-4 run to end the first quarter up three. Willapa Valley bounced back in the second and tied the game at 22 going into the break.
Out of half, both offenses got going, as the two teams combined for 33 points in the third, but Pe Ell only led by one entering the fourth. The fourth was just as tight, and the game was tied at 51 when the clock hit zero at the end of the quarter.
In overtime, Pe Ell took control early. Blaine Howard hit a three in the first 30 seconds, Blake Nelson converted a layup after a steal moments later, and Wyatt Harris capped the 7-0 run with a coast-to-coast layup.
Harris scored eight of his 12 points in the overtime period, while Nelson finished with a game-high 25 points and 12 rebounds for a double-double. Liam McGrath also hit double-figures with 11 points.
“Blake Nelson had a huge game for us,” Pe Ell coach Ross Hojem said. “We also received timely rebounding from Liam McGrath and Wyatt Harris. We are very proud of how the team played tonight. They showed they can compete at this level, and this was a significant step in the right direction.”
Howard finished with nine points, Mo Morales tallied eight, and Eli Mason added three.
Pe Ell (9-6, 3-2 1B CVL) will host Three Rivers Christian on Monday.
