(Spokane, WA) The boys 1B Hardwood Classic at the Spokane Arena will be followed start to finish on this post. We will update daily the scores and short re-caps with links to the game replays, updated bracket and the WIAA’s Tournament Central.
The Lummi Nation Black Hawks are state Champs! Below is our coverage of the entire tournament from last year’s winners to the Regional scores and re-caps to our trophy day stories. All stories and re-caps written by Jamie Council, photos by Lane Mathews.
ACH had a good chance with 14 seconds left to go. The score was 51-50 in favor or Lummi Nation — ACH ball — when Jerome Toby had a key turnover by intercepting the Warrior pass. Toby had a game high 23 points. Deandre James added 10 to the cause for the Black Hawks.
The Warriors led by as much as 11 but Lummi Nation stayed composed and chipped away until the final buzzer.
9:30am 4th/6th Place Game (6) Tulalip Heritage 64, (3) Willapa Valley 46
The efficiency of Tulalip Heritage offense helped them to a 20 point win. Xerxes Myles-gilford, Jaylan Gray, and Davien Parks shot perfect from the two-point range for a combined 45 points. Myles-gilford and Gray each had 17 points. A big third quarter (+12) helped seal the deal.
1pm 3rd/5th Place Game
(4) DeSales 65, (5) Neah Bay 59
DeSales knocked down eight from distance (8/16) as three Irish players carried the scoring load: Spencer Green (20), Cohen Wood (15), and Malachi Raymond (12). DeSales was +10 in the second quarter and never let up despite a fourth quarter push by the Red Devils. Sixteen of Green’s 20 points were in the first half and became a playmaker in the second half, registering four assists. The Irish fended off Tyler Swan who had a 27 point performance to tie their best ever finish in a state tournament.
A +12 fourth quarter made the difference for Tulalip to extend their season another day and guarantee a trophy. Despite a game high 28 point and 10 rebound performance by Jonathan Ferguson, three players for Tulalip were in double digit scoring to get the win by committee.
Jaylan Gray had 25 points while Davien Parks added 17 and Xerces Myles-gilford contributed 13.
Tulalip Heritage will play Willapa Valley for 4th/6th.
Thanks to a game-sealing steal by JB Russel, Willapa Valley secured hardware. Willapa did just enough including a 10-0 run to end the first half. Brady Ritzman had a 12-12 double double and 3 steals.
Willapa Valley will play Tulalip Heritage on Saturday for 4th/ 6th.
Semifinals (Winner to Championship, Loser to 3rd place game) (1) Almira-Coulee-Hartline 64, (4) DeSales 56
Top ranked ACH found themselves down by seven at the break, but a 23-12 fourth quarter made this game appear more decisive than it was. Spencer Greens 17 points gave the Irish a fighting chance.
Nolan Grindy had 22 points (5 from distance) while Josh Booker (14 pts) and Max Grindy (13) joined him in the double digit scoring column for ACH.
ACH will play Lummi Nation in the championship while DeSales will face Neah Bay for hardware.
Free shots aren’t always free, but Deandre James hit two important free throws with four seconds left. It was also about hitting shots at important moments. Dyson Edwards hit two threes to start the fourth quarter — 2 of his 5 triples in the game to compliment his 6 rebounds at Lummi Nation won it down the stretch.
Lummi Nation will face ACH in the 1B championship while Neah Bay will play DeSales for 3rd/ 5th.
Thursday, March 6 (Winner to Semifinals, Loser to Consoltion)
(4) DeSales 54, (6) Tulalip-Heritage 38
The luck of the Irish was prominent from beyond the arc as #4 DeSales shot 52.9% from distance as they stamped their ticket to the 1B semis where they will face the top-ranked Almira Coulee Hartline.
Spencer Green shot 5/8 from 3-pt in his team high 23 point performance. Malachi Raymond recorded a double double with 11 points and 12 rebounds.
An astounding second half performance by ACH and the 13 point win buries the truth of just how close this game was. With seven lead changed and a dominant second quarter performance by Moses Lake CCC, it gave many false senses of hope to both squads.
Ultimately, rebounding and two 20+ point performances from ACH put them on top and now preparing for DeSales. Max Grindy put up 26 while Nolan Grindy scored 21 points in the ACH win.
Moving to the bottom half of the bracket, the battles continues. Neah Bay built themselves up a favorable cushion that turned into a false sense of security with a +9 fourth quarter performance by Willapa Valley including a 20 point game for Nathan Fluke, 12 of which were in the fourth quarter. Willapa Valley moves into the 4th/6th consolation bracket and will face Ocosta on Friday.
Neah Bay held on for the win as three players registered double digit performances: Makyah Chambers (13), Seactris Woodruff (12), and Tyler Swan (10). The Red Devils return to the semis where they will face Lummi Nation.
Everyone that got playing time registed at least one point for Lummi Nation in the dominant win. Their defense only allowed on 10+ point quarter for Ocosta.
Jerome Toby led the way with 25 points and 5 steals as Lummi Nation prepares for Neah Bay and Ocosta will try their luck with Willapa Valley in the consolation bracket.
Tulalip Heritage lead by eight after the first quarter and never looked back. Winning the rebounding game with a +11 differential and a +10 in the points off turnovers category, it was complete game that led the to the 19 point victory.
Davien Parks had a team high 19 points while Xerxes Myles-gilford contributed in whatever way the team needed him. His flexible play racked 12 points, 14 rebounds, 4 assists and one steal and blocked shot.
Tulalip Heritage will face #4 DeSales in the quarterfinals.
Neah Bay was down at the half. It is unknown what was said in the locker room at half, but the Red Devils responded with a 21-12 third quarter and outscored GP by eight in the fourth quarter.
Their defense created 21 points off turnovers. Jodell Wimberly had five steals as a defensive specialist while three players scored in double figures: Makyah Chambers (18), Tyler Swan (12), Seactis Woodruff (10).
Neah Bay will line up with #3 Willapa Valley in the quarterfinals on Thursday.
A dominant performance by Sonny Beard helped lift Ocosta abover Willpinit in the opening round. Beard recorded a monstrous double double with 11 points and 18 rebounds (17 defensive). Dalton Welch led Ocosta scoring with 13 points. Kayden Turner scoreded a double double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
Ocosta will see #2 Lummi Nation in the quarterfinals.
(Spokane, WA) The boys 1B Hardwood Classic at the Spokane Arena will be followed start to finish on this post. We will update daily the scores and short re-caps with links to the game replays, updated bracket and the WIAA’s Tournament Central.
