Staring down a 10-point deficit in the early goings of its 2B District 4 consolation semifinal against Chief Leschi at W.F. West, the Napavine boys basketball team had to turn it around, and turn it around quick to qualify for yet another regional berth Friday night.
The Tigers did just that, ultimately coming out of the first quarter with a lead, and holding on to defeat the Warriors, 56-52, clinching a spot in the district third-place game against Wahkiakum and an ever-important spot in the regional round of state.
Though Tigers’ leading scorer James Grose was in foul trouble for a good chunk of the game, the junior still scored 21 points, and Karsen Denault stepped in to provide 16 points and seven rebounds in the defensive-minded contest.
The Tigers held the Warriors to 39% shooting and forced 25 turnovers, which they turned into 24 points.
Napavine will play the Mules Saturday back at Chehalis at 3 p.m., with a regional berth already locked in, for state seeding purposes.
