Photo Courtesy Larry Bale - Willapa Valley HS senior Wil Clements goes up with a shot at the district tournament recently. Clements scored 9 points against Moses Lake Saturday in the state toruney.
Willapa Valley systematically and methodically dismissed Moses Lake Christian Academy-Covenant Christian School 48-34 in its opening game of the 1B Boys State Basketball tournament at Tumwater HS Saturday afternoon. Derek Fluke led the Vikings in scoring with 13 points, followed by Riley Pearson (11), Kolten Fluke (10) and Wil Clements (9).
"This game was proof that great defense, hustle and rebounding can win games for you," WVHS head coach Jay Pearson told the Herald. "Today was one of those days where we just didn't shoot well and our shots just didn't fall. We had multiple shots that we normally make that just didn't go in as we only shot 31 percent (16 of 52) from the floor and 58 percent (15 of 26) from the free throw line. When a team usually puts those kinds of numbers up, it doesn't usually equate to a win. I'm proud of our guys for how they didn't get frustrated as basketball is a hard game to play when you can't make a basket. However, they kept working their tails off, battled every position and made Moses Lake Christian earn every shot they made. Again, a great win, not pretty at times; however at this stage, it is all about winning and advancing."
Both teams moved on to the Spokane Arena. This victory earns WVHS (18-5) a bye to the quarterfinal game, Thursday, 3:45, at the Spokane Arena versus the winner of Mossyrock/Lummi. The MLCA-CCS Lions (18-4) went to a loser-out game against Sound Christian Academy (22-4) tonight.
"Derek Fluke was a beast for us today, grabbing 17 rebounds and scoring 13 points," Coach Pearson said. "Derek really battled today and seemed like he got every rebound despite playing against much taller opponents. Derek has been a mainstay all year long inside for us and we usually roll as how he plays.
"Riley also struggles with his shooting from the floor as well; however, was dead on from the free throw line going a perfect 8 for 8, including some clutch free throws down the stretch," Coach Pearson noted. "Riley's only other shot he made was a 3-point shot towards the end of a game. It was really something to win a game when Riley's off from the floor.
"Kolten Fluke (5 rebs) found a way to make some big baskets when it wasn't really his night shooting either," Coach Pearson said. "However, Kolten's biggest statement was holding MLC's leading score to only nine points.
"Wil Clements (3 steals) also played solid for us on the defensive side of things, taking care of their big guys and also scoring nine points," Coach Pearson added.
"Garrett Keeton continued to play at a high level and a high intensity game by grabbing 10 rebounds and dishing out six assists," Coach Pearson pointed out. "Garrett has been playing extremely well of late. He just plays so hard and is seeing the floor well at the moment. It is great to see him succeeding, as he is the one kid who puts the most time in the gym."
The Vikings trailed only once in this one at 5-3. Willapa Valley was in front 13-6 after two buckets by Kolten Fluke to end the first quarter. The Vikes led by only two at halftime, 21-19. Valley scored the first seven points of the second half to go up 28-19 after a long jumper by Kolten Fluke. Willapa led 32-22 going into the fourth quarter. Derek Fluke's basket gave WV a 38-26 edge. Derek Fluke's fastbreak hoop gave the Vikings their biggest lead at 46-30.
The vikings committed only 7 turnovers.
"In the second half, we really picked up the defensive intensity and held MLC to only three points in the third quarter and really won the game in that quarter," Coach Pearson said. "The kids really made a statement on the defensive side of things when you hold a state playoff team to only 34 points in a game. So proud of how hard they played and how they battled right to the end."
State Tourney
Last Tuesday's (Feb. 21) opening round loser-out game scores included: #16 Orcas Island (20-9) 63, #17 Inchelium (15-10) 42; #15 Pomeroy (16-7) 69, #18 Muckleshoot Tribal School (14-11) 62; #19 Columbia Adventist (16-9) 52, #14 Summit Classical Christian School 49 (20-5); and #13 Riverside Christian (16-4) 71, #20 Mary Walker (13-13) 58.
Saturday's other seven scores were: #12 Sound Christian Academy (22-4) 61, #13 Riverside Christian (16-5) 52 (loser-out); #1 Wellpinit (23-1) 83, #8 Oakville (17-5); #2 Sunnyside Christian (20-4) 56, #7 Cusick (19-5) 45; #3 DeSales (22-2) 74, #6 Lummi Nation (19-8) 56; #16 Orcas Island (21-9) 73, #9 Neah Bay (14-7) 65; (loser-out); #10 Mount Vernon Christian (21-6) 65, Pomeroy 40 (16-8) (loser-out); #11 Mossyrock (19-6) 59, #19 Columbia Adventist (16-10) 45 (loser-out); and #12 Sound Christian Academy (22-4) 61, #13 Riverside Christian (16-5) 42 (loser-out).
Today's loser-out games include: Mossyrock vs Lummi Nation, Mount Vernon Christian vs Cusick, Sound Christian Academy vs Moses Lake Christian-Covenant Christian School, and Orcas Island vs Oakville.
Willapa Valley, Wellpinit, DeSales, and Sunnyside Christian await the winners for games Thursday. Go to wiaa.com for more information.