LONGVIEW — Centralia played three games over the Thanksgiving weekend, ending up with a loss in the fourth place game here on Sunday against Yakima Valley in the Red Devil Classic NWAC men’s basketball tournament.
The Blazers kicked off the tournament on Friday against Everett, falling 92-69. Elijah Hoover led Centralia with 29 points off the bench and Tyler Ashmore was also in double digits with 15 points and eight rebounds. Michael Adams grabbed a team-high nine rebounds.
Everett had four starters in double figures, led by the 20 points of Bobby Martin.
The Trojans shot 49.3 percent from the field while Centralia shot just 36.8 percent.
Everett built a 40-38 lead at halftime but scored 51 points in the second half to pull away for the win.
The loss put Centralia on the consolation side of the bracket against Southwest Oregon on Saturday, with the Blazers earning a 79-58 win.
Ashmore tallied 17 points, Taylor Peppinger added 15 points and Jaylin Walker chipped in 12 points. Tyler Meadows had a team-high seven rebounds.
Mack Tarver Jr. led the Lakers with 12 points.
The Blazers improved their shooting from Friday’s game, shooting 41.5 percent compared to 30.6 percent shooting from SW Oregon.
Centralia had a 49-36 lead at intermission and held the Lakers to 22 points in the second half to earn the win.
On Sunday, Centralia wrapped up the tournament with a 79-72 loss to Yakima Valley.
Walker scored 26 points to lead all scorers. Peppinger added 11 points and Michael Adams was also in double digits with 10 points.
Yakima Valley had four starters in double figures, but it was Journey Buba with 18 points off the bench to lead the Yaks.
The Blazers struggled shooting again, converting just 4 of 21 shots from behind the arc and 40 percent from the field while Yakima Valley shot 50.8 percent from the field.
The Yaks took a 32-29 lead into halftime and was able to hold off Centralia down the stretch in the second half to earn the win.
Centralia (3-3) has two weeks off before being back in action at home against Southwest Oregon again at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14.
