Great Wins and a Winlock/Onalaska Teaser

First of all, I need to give kudos to the Napavine, White Pass and Centralia boys for big wins late last week. For Napavine and White Pass in the Central 2B, it just means more suspense in a league in which nobody wants to, or can dominate. I might also mention that Adna also turned in a 60-45 victory over Pe Ell, a team that had knocked off Napavine just a few days earlier.

Admittedly, I was harsh to Centralia early in the season but they have settled into where I thought they would be within the Evergreen 2A. In my mind, they are behind River Ridge and Hoquiam and Tumwater is right behind the Tigers. Centralia put on an illuminating performance knocking off Tumwater 75-64 at home. Now if Hoquiam would only get out of their dreary manner.

Barring floods, blizzards and other potential disasters, the long anticipated match-up between 14-0 Onalaska and 14-1 Winlock is going to occur this week. The two will meet on Tuesday in Onalaska and then again on Saturday (this game was rescheduled from late December) in Winlock. The Loggers bring a number of tough covers including Senior Eric Messal who has been a prolific scorer off the bench.

Winlock can play just about any kind of game but would prefer a patient, half court set to utulize their size and talent close to the basket. We have had glimpses of what Tyler Hertz can do in a faster pace and a fast-paced, transition game may not be to the advantage of the Loggers.

The Cardinals must also stay out of foul trouble.

For more read previous posts.

Finally, the red hot Lady Cardinals will meet Onalaska tonight in Winlock. Coming off wins over Toledo, Rochester (2) and Forks, they may be considered the hottest team in the 1A Evergreen tangle. In the meantime, the Lady Loggers have been stepping through the tough Evergreen schedule and turning up with a few bruises. Onalaska handled Winlock at home fairly well by a score of 38-27. Every team's goal seems to be centered around preventing Logger Senior Amber Durand from achieving huge numbers.

Thursday Surprises

Besides the Winlock Toledo game a couple of other surprise wins (or losses) struck me hard this morning.

Castle Rock 61 Kalama 40

Castle Rock not only took out Kalama, they took them out by 21 on their home court. Kalama's leader Point Guard Brandon Walker, Robby Sanders and Matt Pollock all got into foul trouble in the 2nd quarter. The Rockets took a big lead in the 2nd quarter and extended it in the 4th. The Rockets have solid players in the starting line-up and are probably second to none in depth.

Black Hills 61 Hoquiam 56

After taking out Centralia a couple of weeks ago, Black Hills took down another highly ranked team in the form of Hoquiam. In the process of defeating the Grizzlies 61-56, they were able to hold streaky Joey Wayman to just 13 points.

Games That Have Meaning in March

Of all of Tuesday’s games that matter the most, Tumwater’s upset of River Ridge is probably tops. Tumwater came storming out of a lethargic River Ridge and maintained a 25 point lead at halftime. Tumwater had four players in double figures including Daniel Devries with 20.

District 4 teams in the TNT Top 10

We have finally arrivied at a point in the season where we can start comparing teams. For the first 6 weeks of the season, I can't figure out why anyone tries to do this, but at some point, the values begin to become clear.

To this point, I have not seen enough 3A and 4A games to make compelling arguments against those lists. While Squalicum (currently ranked #1)is a virtual unknown, only Centralia looks out of place on the 2A top 10. That will be solved this evening when they visit Hoquiam.

At the 1A level, Vashon is a no brainer, especially after their defeat of Chelan last night. They have played the toughest schedule possible and are a point from being undefeated. Of course, that one loss was to Roosevelt High School in Portland, Oregon. One team that is lurking and should at least be included in the outside group is Onalaska, They are being punished I suspect for playing weak competition thus far but undefeated is just that!

I have few arguments with the girl's top 10, but there is a lot of basketball yet to be played!


Tacoma News-Tribune High School Girls Top 10.

At the 4A level, there are no teams from District 4 in the TNT rankings. 3A District 4 teams in the top 10 include only mighty Prairie High that dropped from 4A last year to its current level. Southwest Washington is well represented at the 2A level with Black Hills at 2nd, Elma at 7th and Hockinson at 9th. Teams at the 1A level are limited with only Forks cracking the 10, but La Center, Onalaska, Rainier and Toledo all received honorable mention as teams just outside the big list.

Tacoma News-Tribune High School Boys Top 10.

The firs Distrct 4 team thought to be in the top 10 at the 4A or 3 A level is Columbia River which was included at the number 5 spot. The 2A Evergreen conference is well represented with River Ridge, Hoquiam and Centralia holding the 3rd, 6th and 10 spots respectively. Centralia’s hold on a Top 10 ranking may be in peril as they travel to # 6 Hoquiam tonight. Not to be out done, Mark Morris from the Greater St. Helens League holds the number 2 spot on the charts. At the 1A level, Winlock moved up to the 3rd spot while Kalama earned honorable mention just outside the top 10.

Other Interesting Games Tonight

Centralia at Hoquiam Evergreen 2A Boys)

Ranked Hoquiam and near ranked Centralia will play tonight in the Grizzlies home gym. There may not be a hotter player in Washington State High School Basketball than Hoquiam Senior Joey Wayman. In recent days, he poured in 44 against Tumwater but has had solid enough play to be nominated to the McDonald’s All-American Basketball Game. In addition, Hoquiam Junior Daniel Adams has been playing well enough to give the Grizzles and excellent chance in all of their games.

Mark Morris at Kelso

2A powerhouse Mark Morris will play a non-league match with cross-river 4A rival Kelso. While the Highlanders have had a tough time in their league that includes highly ranked Columbia River and Mountain View, Mark Morris has suffered two losses to 4A Mountain View and an Australian travel team.