Taholah opened its state-tournament journey with a victory as we review Tuesday’s prep hoops games on the Harbor.
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GIRLS PREP BASKETBALL
Taholah 58, Evergreen Lutheran 35
Taholah advanced to the second round of the 1B State Tournament with a 58-35 opening-round victory over Evergreen Lutheran on Tuesday at Taholah High School.
The No. 15 Chitwhins (18-6 overall) found themselves tied with the No. 18 Eagles (13-9) at 10-10 after a slow start, but found their game in the second frame.
Six different Taholah players recorded a field goal in the second quarter – with standout junior Noelani McCrory doing the most damage with six points – as the Chitwhins took a commanding 32-14 lead into halftime.
But the Eagles rallied in the third quarter to cut into the deficit, outscoring Taholah 13-9 in as the Chitwhins hit four shots in the frame, two apiece by Noelani McCrory and senior guard Keeliana McCrory.
Taholah found its offense once again in the fourth period, with sophomore guard Luvaila Smith providing a spark with two 3-pointers in the Chitwhins’ 21-point quarter to preserve the win and extend the season.
“We didn’t play the way we wanted to, but sometimes it’s about getting the job done,” Taholah head coach Dramikha Jackson said of her team’s topsy-turvy performance. “I’m proud of my girls for being able to push through every challenge that comes our way. For now it’s back to work before we travel over to the east to get one step closer to Spokane.”
Noelani McCrory and freshman guard Maliah Pluff scored 16 and 13 points, respectively, to lead the Chitwhins on offense and grabbed eight rebounds apiece.
Smith finished with nine points on three 3-pointers while Keeliana McCrory had seven points and a team-high four assists for Taholah.
With the win, Taholah will face No. 10 Oakesdale in a state second-round game at 4 p.m. on Saturday at Cheney High School.
The winner advances to the state Round of 12 on March 5 in Spokane.
Evergreen Lutheran 10 4 13 8 – 35
Taholah 10 22 9 21 – 58
Scoring: EL – Brauer 18, Hintz 6, Pittenger 6, Rose 2. Taholah – N. McCrory 16, Pluff 13, Smith 9, Stafford 7, K. McCrory 7, Martin 6.
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Other games
No. 14 Almira-Coulee-Hartline 58, No. 19 Willapa Valley 22
PHOTO BY TIA CHENEY Taholah’s Noelani McCrory (22) shoots a 3-pointer during a 58-35 win over Evergreen Lutheran in the opening round of the 1B State Tournament on Tuesday at Taholah High School.
