By Tyler Hergert

Adna Pirates vs Wahkiakum Mules

It was the boy’s turn to hit the floor as Adna was the only school to bring their boys’ and girls’ basketball teams to the District 4 Semifinals. The boys were trying to follow in the girl’s footsteps by winning the Semifinal game and clinching a spot in State. Wahkiakum won the first matchup between the two schools a month ago in this C2BL rematch. Wahkiakum got off to a great start with a 13-4 run to begin the game but Adna responded with a 9-0 run to close out the first quarter to tie the game at 13 after one. In the second both sides traded baskets but it would be Adna who took a 27-25 halftime lead. The pressure would turn up in the third quarter as both teams put up 14 points which saw Adna maintain a two-point lead at 41-39. In the fourth quarter, the pressure and intensity would get turned to a new level as both sides continue to trade punches in this title fight. Wahkiakum held the lead for most of the final period but Adna’s Braeden Salme buried a three which was quickly answered by Wahkiakum’s Jacob Johnson to put the Mules up 54-53. Eli Smith banked in a close shot to give Adna a 55-54 lead with a minute and a half left. Brodie Avalon for Wahkiakum had two free throws with 37.7 seconds left but on the first free throw, Wahkiakum had a lane violation which took off the made free throw and gave Adna possession with their one-point lead. Wahkiakum chose to play out the final possession and with 13.3 seconds left in the game and only six seconds on the shot clock, coach Luke Salme called a timeout for the Pirates. Lane Johnson inbounded for Adna, found Braeden Salme who drove towards the basket, spun around, and found Johnson who buried a three as the shot clock expired to give Adna a 58-54 victory in dramatic fashion.

Our game MVP was Braeden Salme who led all scorers with 20 points and had the assist on the final basket. Congratulations on a fantastic performance.

Adna would clinch their spot in State but needed to wait for the winner of Morton-White Pass vs Chief Leschi to see who they would be playing.

With the loss, Wahkiakum will play Raymond in a winner to State game tomorrow night at W.F. West at 5:30 PM. We will be broadcasting that game.

Video Highlights

Morton-White Pass Timberwolves vs Chief Leschi Warriors

Both teams came into this game rolling on win streaks as MWP was riding a six-game win streak while Chief Leschi was on an eight-game win streak. The pace was rapid as both teams like to run and gun but MWP had a two-point advantage over Chief Leschi after one, 18-16, thanks to Josh Salguero’s 12 first-quarter points. In the second quarter, Chief Leschi got some threes to fall and was able to take a one-point lead into the halftime break at 33-32. In the third quarter, MWP’s 1-3-1 zone caused Chief Leschi some issues as the T-Wolves forced a plethora of turnovers and were able to score in transition, doubling their point total to take a commanding 64-45 lead after three. In the fourth quarter, the MWP scoring would continue as they racked up 25 fourth-quarter points and scored a remarkable 57 points in the second half alone, almost outscoring Chief Leschi in the entire game as the final score would be 89-60.

Our game MVP was a tough decision but Josh Salguero took the honor with 28 points and 18 rebounds, his second straight game with 18 boards, as his post presence was dominant all night long. Hunter Hazen was a close second as he was at the top of the tenacious 1-3-1 zone, causing many Chief Leschi turnovers, and had 27 points himself.

MWP will face Adna Saturday night at W.F. West at approximately 8 PM for the 2B District 4 Championship.

With the loss, Chief Leschi will face Napavine tomorrow night at W.F. West 20 minutes after the conclusion of Raymond vs Wahkiakum.

We will be broadcasting the remaining 2B District 4 games.

Video Highlights

You can watch the entire game on the NFHS Network on-demand. Subscriptions are $11.99 per month and gives you access to the entire NFHS Network all across the country to watch the live broadcasts or any on-demand games. Go to https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/affiliates/eli-sports-network to sign-up if you don’t have a subscription or to find the on-demand replay of this game.