The Pe Ell boys basketball team evened its season series against Willapa Valley with a low-scoring win, 43-32 at home to throw yet another wrench in the 1B Columbia Valley League standings.
“Our defensive execution was on point,” Pe Ell coach Chris Phelps said. “We were able to force their shooters off the line and into our help side defense. We rebounded well, we took care of the ball and we shot the ball better than we have all year.”
The Trojans (5-9, 5-4 1B CVL) held their friendly rivals to just four points in the first quarter and 11 total points in the first half, leading by 10 at the break despite making just six field goals in the first 16 minutes.
The offense didn’t exactly speed up for Pe Ell in the second half, but Carter Phelps sealed the game at the free-throw line, going 8 for 10 from the stripe in the fourth quarter to cap an 18-point night.
The senior also led the Trojans with 10 rebounds.
Calan McCarty added 13 points — together, he and Phelps outscored the Vikings by themselves. Blake Howard only scored three points but brought down nine boards in the post, and helped keep Willapa Valley in check down low.
“Blake’s defense in the middle was the best I have seen all year for us,” Chris Phelps said.
The result leaves Pe Ell with a much better taste in its mouth, compared to a 57-44 loss to the Vikings earlier in the year.
The Trojans will get another home league matchup Thursday, against Three Rivers Christian.
