Tigers Dominate Rainier, Clinch Bye at Districts

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NAPAVINE — Stifling the Rainier attack through the first half, the 2B No. 5 Napavine boys basketball team continued its hot streak, defeating the Mountaineers at home Friday night, 80-57. 

The win clinches a top-2 finish in the Central 2B league for the Tigers, and a bye in the first round of the district tournament. 

The Tigers forced 17 Mountaineer turnovers, scoring 24 points in transition and adding another 24 points on second-chance opportunities. 

James Grose was held to a season-low 12 points, but other Tigers added in points and then some, with Karsen Denault scoring 17, Jarin Prather scoring 12 — all in the first quarter — Cayle Kelly adding 11, and Jack Nelson scoring 10 off the bench. 

Ten Tigers scored in another well-rounded offensive night, shooting 41.8% from the field. 

The Mountaineers, meanwhile, couldn’t get out of their own way in the first half, and fell behind, 48-19 at the half. It wasn’t until a better second half effort that Rainier found ways to score points, with Josh Meldrum leading the way with a game-high 19 points. Jared Sprouffske added 12, and Jake Meldrum had 10 points for the Mountaineers. 

Napavine takes on Toledo at home on Tuesday next, while the Mountaineers take on the Riverhawks on Thursday.