FORKS — Powered by Matt Brown’s 27 points, Hoquiam handed state-ranked Forks its first league loss, 69-66, in an Evergreen 1A League boys basketball game Friday at Forks.

Brown went 12-of-15 from the field and made all seven of his second-half field-goal attempts. Hitting both of his 3-point shots in the fourth quarter, Victor James finished with 17 points for the Grizzlies (4-3, 7-11).

Seth Johnson helped Forks (5-1 in league) to a 37-26 halftime lead. The Grizzlies narrowed the deficit to five after three quarters and the clubs engaged in a dizzying exchange of leads down the stretch.

“The final four minutes, it was back and forth,” Hoquiam coach Curtis Eccles said.

Brown’s basket with 30 seconds remaining put the Grizzlies on top to stay at 67-66. Following a Spartan miss, Hoquiam’s Payton Quintanilla made two foul shots with five seconds left to extend the margin to three.

The contest, however, had one more twist. Not over the limit, the Grizzlies fouled in an attempt to disrupt Forks’ final possession. The foul, however, was ruled intentional, giving the Spartans two free throws and the ball.

They missed both foul shots, however, and Cole Baysinger’s last-second 3-point shot came off the rim.

Returning from an ankle sprain, James pulled down 11 rebounds and Rayyon Dayton had eight for the Grizzlies. Hoquiam guard Jackson Folkers, also nursing a sprained ankle, saw limited action but gave the Grizzlies valuable minutes in the second half.

Hoquiam hosts rival Aberdeen on Monday.

Hoquiam 14 12 20 23 — 69

Forks 15 22 14 15 — 66

Hoquiam (69) — Brown 27, James 17, Quintanilla 11, Dayton 10, Eccles 4, Larsen, Bumstead, Morales, Folkers. FG — 29-62 (.468). FT — 9-19.

Forks (66) — Johnson 22, Armas 13, C. Baysinger 12, Prose 6, Archibald 6, Veavene 4, Jaccoby 3. FG — 29-63 (.460). FT — 5-12.

JV — Forks won.

C Squad — Forks won.