SPOKANE –Neah Bay’s defense shut down the Taholah Chitwins in the second half as the Red Devils opened the 1B state tournament with a 69-45 win at Spokane Arena on Thursday night.
Neah Bay led 32-30 at halftime and then held Taholah (15-4) to 15 second-half points, and to just three points in the fourth quarter.
The Red Devils (18-2) move on to the semifinals where they will face the LaCrosse-Washtucna-Kahlotus Tigercats on Friday night at 9 p.m.
LaCrosse-Washtucna-Kahlotus (20-5) advanced by defeating Soap Lake 56-40 on Thursday.
The winner between the Red Devils and Tigercats will face the winner of Pomeroy and Sunnyside Christian on Friday at 5 p.m for the 1B state championship.
Neah Bay had four players in double figures against Taholah: Ryan Moss with 15, Tyler McCaulley had 13, Abraham Venske had 11 and Leyton Doherty finished with 10.
Venske also had eight rebounds and three steals.
