CASTLE ROCK — Forks’ shot at a third-straight Class 2B state tournament trip ended in a 28-26 loss to Mossyrock in a Class 2B Southwest District 4 loser-out girls basketball contest Tuesday.
The 54 total points is the second-lowest combined total in the district’s history, only surpassed by the 50 points Mossyrock and Onalaska set in the first round 10 days ago.
“It was a physical, defensive game,” coach David Hurn said. “We had good looks, it felt like we were never going to make a bucket there in the first quarter. We did what we thought we could defensively, we limited them in a bunch of different looks, executed well in all three of the defenses we threw at them.
“Mossyrock just plays hard. Both teams played with their backs against the wall. We did have open looks, but the ones we had we couldn’t finish,” Hurn said.
Hurn said the Spartans had the go-ahead basket waived off in the final minute due to a charging foul offensively.
“We overcame that disappointment and got a stop defensively with 16 seconds left, but we weren’t able to get a shot off to tie or take the lead,” Hurn said.
Deflated by the defeat, Hurn pointed to the team’s growth this season.
“I was telling the kids that it hurts, that this one stings,” Hurn said. “Going into the season, especially after the first week, I was concerned how we were going to win games this season. All we could control is our own attitude, effort and response, so we focused on responding to failure all year. We knew we would see it, so we had to respond and grow.
“If you were to tell me we would be league champs for the third year in a row and feel great about competing for a spot in state, I would be thrilled. Looking back at that game, it speaks to the growth of this team. Very proud of the girls. All you want is a chance and we felt great about the chance,” he said.
Youthful Forks won’t lose any players to graduation.
“Our motto for the offseason is ‘Pass somebody’,” Hurn said. “If you are not getting enough playing time, pass somebody. We have to have that mindset, and we will have great expectations for next year.”
Mossyrock 28, Forks 26
M’rock 9 4 11 4 — 28
Forks 1 8 14 3 — 26
Forks (26) — Johnson 13, Neel 7, Dilley 2, Rondeau 2, Gaydeski 2.
Neah Bay 57, Evergreen Lutheran 22
NEAH BAY — The Neah Bay girls basketball team began its postseason defense of its state title with a 57-22 win over Evergreen Lutheran in the Red Devils’ 1B Tri-District tournament opener.
Angel Halttunen and Qwaapeys Greene led the team with 14 points each, with Greene adding eight rebounds. Cerise Moss hit four 3-pointers to score 12.
The Red Devils (18-1), ranked No. 1 among 1B schools in Ratings Percentage Index, will next play Muckleshoot at 5 p.m. today at a neutral site at Sequim High School. If the Red Devils win, they qualify for the state tournament and move on to the district championship game Saturday at the Muckleshoot Community Center.
Neah Bay 57, Evergreen Luth. 22
EV 2 6 4 10 — 22
NB 16 19 11 11 — 57
Neah Bay (57) — A. Halttunen 14, Greene 14, Cerise Moss 12, Caylee Moss 4, Yallup 4, Johnson 4, D. Halttunen 3, Lawrence 2.
Annie Wright 79, East Jefferson 27
PUYALLUP — The East Jefferson girls basketball team lost to No. 4-ranked Annie Wright 79-27 in the Rivals’ 1A District 3 tournament game.
Despite the loss, East Jefferson is still alive in the tournament. The Rivals will face Life Christian, a team they split two games with earlier this season, at 7 p.m. today at Seattle Christian High School.
Penina Vailolo led the Rivals (12-10) with 13 points, 10 rebounds and two blocked shots. Kay Botkin had seven points and five assists.
Annie Wright 79, East Jefferson 27
EJ 4 5 14 4 —27
AW 17 16 28 18 — 79
East Jefferson (27) — Vailolo 13, Botkin 7, Plotner 5, O’Hara 2.
Boys Basketball Neah Bay 71, Evergreen Lutheran 40
NEAH BAY — The Neah Bay boys basketball team used balanced scoring to win its 1B Tri-District tournament opener 71-40 over Evergreen Lutheran.
Seven Red Devils scored at least six points. Tyler Swan led the way with 17 points, while Daniel Cumming had 10, Makyah Chambers and Seactis Woodruff nine each and Mathias Greene eight.
Neah Bay (17-3, No. 7 RPI) next plays Tulalip Heritage at 6:30 p.m. today at Sequim High School. If the Red Devils win, they qualify for the state tournament and move on to the district championship game Saturday at the Muckleshoot Community Center.
Neah Bay 71, Evergreen Luth. 40
EV 11 4 12 13 — 40
NB 18 17 11 25 —71
Neah Bay (71) — Swan 17, Cumming 10, Chambers 9, Woodruff 9, Greene 8, Wimberly 6, Sawyer 6, Akin 3, Jimmicum 2, Ray 1.
Sports editor Pierre LaBossiere contributed to this article.
