Photo by Larry Bale - WVHS's Beau Buchanan soars to control the opening tip over PHS's Max Smith.
Willapa Valley won a vital seeding post-season playoff game against Northwest Christian to determine which team would be the higher seed in the Pacific League heading into the Southwest Washington District 4 2B Boys Basketball Tournament. The Vikings defeated the Navigators 57-47 Saturday night at Ocosta HS in Westport. Logan Walker led the charge for the winners with 20 points and Beau Buchanan recorded a double-double with 10 rebounds, 10 points and a blocked shot. Chad Flemetis turned in a big game with 9 points, 5 steals and 5 assists, and Carter Pearson added 10 pts.
As a result of the win, Valley, 16-5 overall and 15-4 in the Pacific League, earns the No. 2 seed in the league and doesn't have to play at district until Saturday vs Morton-White Pass (11-9), Rainier (10-10) or Chief Leschi (9-11) at WF West HS (Chehalis). Northwest Christian (16-5, 14-5) opens tonight at Rochester HS (6 pm) vs Wahkiakum (12-8) or Raymond (6-14).
Valley and Christian could have decided the seeding by a coin flip, but decided to play the game on a neutral site instead. The two teams split two regular season games.
Willapa Valley started out with a 13-7 first quarter lead and was ahead 29-26 at halftime against the Navs. The Vikings pushed the margin to 45-33 going into the final frame.
The Vikes shot 48 percent (20 of 42) from the floor and were 9 of 18 from downtown. Valley connected on 8 of 10 free throws and committed only 9 turnovers.
Valley 70, Trojans 44
Flemetis fired in 36 points during a 79-44 whipping of Pe Ell at Trojan gym Thursday night. Flemetis drilled in 10 of 17 shots and also pulled down 7 boards and made 5 thefts.
Walker netted 15 points and snared 7 rebounds and Tyler Adkins and Pearson (5 assists) added 10 points apiece. Allen Deniston collected 7 caroms.
Willapa played very cleanly with only 8 turnovers.
The Vikings led by only one point (15-14) after one period, and then outscored PHS 64-30 the remainder of the game.
Fishermen 62, WVHS 55
Fourth-pace Ilwaco pulled a mild upset by beating Willapa Valley 62-55 last Tuesday (Feb. 4) at IHS. Walker tallied 15 points and 11 rebounds for a double-double and Pearson popped in 15 points.
Flemetis put in 10 points and grabbed 7 rebounds and Deniston snatched 8 boards.
The Vikings led 16-5 after one quarter but had a terrible second stanza while getting outscored 21-2 to trail 26-18 at intermission.
With the win, Ilwaco improved to 14-5 in all games and 12-5 in the Pacific League.