In a hectic game of spurts by both teams, Willapa Valley survived with a 54-52 victory at Menlo last Monday (Jan. 4). Jason Fluke's two ice-water-in-your-veins free throws with 8 seconds to play provided the winning points for Coach Jay Pearson's Vikings.
The Indians jumped out to a 10-1 lead at the start of the game, only to see the Vikings go up by 14 in the third quarter, and then South Bend led by 7 with 3 minutes to go before losing it.
Valley's Hunter Gray (4 steals) stole the ball and scored and Oblad drained a 3-pointer to fuel the comeback.
Fluke and teammate Walker Oblad led all scorers with 15 points each, and Brendyn Graves gathered 14 rebounds and netted a dozen points. Oblad's points all came from trey-land.
Ty Johnson and Juan Bucio popped in 14 points apiece for South Bend, and Jordan Dockter added 10 points.
The game was knotted at 15 after one quarter. Valley led 27-23 at halftime, and the game was again tied after three quarters at 33. Willapa won the fourth quarter 21-19.
The Indians sank only 8 of 17 free throws, while Valley was 5 of 11 at the stripe. The Indians were 22 of 49 from the field, 45%, and the Vikings were 20 of 63, 32%.
With the win, Valley improved to 2-7, while the Tribe dipped to 3-7.
The Vikes routed South Bend in a three quarter junior varsity game 66-11.
Valley visited South Bend for a rematch last night and played at Rainier Saturday. Willapa Valley hosts Northwest Christian Friday.
North Beach 80,
Valley 44
Visiting North Beach swamped Willapa Valley 80-44 Thursday at Tenoski Gym in Menlo. Gray fired in 19 points for the Vikings.
Valley led 15-13 after the first quarter before the Hyaks erupted to outscore the Vikes 67-29 the rest of the game.
Austin Perez singed the chords for 29 points for the 7-4 Hyaks, and teammate Timmy Poplin scored 17.
Jason Fluke added 10 points for the Vikings, who were only 4 of 18 at the free throw line.
Valley won the three quarter JV game 42-36.
Ocosta 78,
Indians 43
Ocosta continued its solid play with a 78-43 pummeling of South Bend Thursday night at Westport. The Wildcats, who improved to 10-1, were ahead 45-14 at halftime.
Ocosta was 31 of 66 from the field, compared to just 19 of 53 for SBHS.
Drew Rose and Bucio banged in 10 each for the Tribe.
The Indians traveled to Northwest Christian Saturday, visit Life Christian Academy this Saturday and host North Beach Tuesday.