Hoquiam is off to a 2-0 start after defeating Ocosta 69-35 on Friday at Hoquiam Square Garden.
The Grizzlies (2-0 overall) put the game away in the third quarter, stretching what was a seven-point halftime lead into a commanding 52-28 advantage entering the fourth quarter.
Hoquiam had four players score in double figures, led by senior guard Michael Lorton Watkins’ 22 points on 10-of-16 (63%) shooting.
Zander Jump (11 points, 6 rebounds), Justice Stankavich (11 pts., 3 reb.) and Jalen Hobucket (10 pts., 2 reb.) also scored in double digits for the Grizzlies.
Ocosta (0-2) climbed to within a few baskets early in the third quarter, but the full-court pressure Hoquiam utilized from the opening whistle began to wear down the Wildcats, leading to a 24-7 quarter for the Grizzlies.
“Once Hoquiam got the lead up to 10, they smelled the blood in the water and really went after it,” Ocosta head coach Jason Quinby said. “Our kids kind of ran out of gas and the rout was on.”
The Grizzlies forced 24 turnovers and had 19 steals as a team, led by Jake Templer with seven.
Hoquiam’s defense allowed just 15 points in the second half and outrebounded Ocosta 35-27.
“Amazing defensive effort in the second half,” Hoquiam head coach Jeff Niemi said. “We challenged them at halftime to buckle down on defense and finish on offense and we did exactly that.”
Ocosta was led by Garrison Barnum (8 pts.), Mark Lewis (7 pts., 8 reb.) and Josh Figueroa (7 pts.).
“Overall, I was pleased for most of the night with how we handled the press and felt good about our offense when we ran it,” Quinby said. “We need to keep improving on our half-court defense and staying level headed when we get pressured, especially when tired.”
Hoquiam will play at Aberdeen at 7 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 12.
Ocosta has a Pacific League matchup against Raymond at 7 p.m. Tuesday in Westport.
Ocosta 9 12 7 7 8 — 36
Hoquiam 13 15 24 17 — 69
Scoring: O — Barnum 8, M. Lewis 7, Figueroa 7, X. Prigmore 5, T. Lewis 3, Agramon 3, Matthews 3. H — Lorton Watkins 22, Jump 11, Stankavich 11, Hobucket 10, McNeill 5, Gordon 4, Templer 3, Wonderly-Leonard 2, Atwell 1.
Adna 79, Elma 59
Elma suffered its first loss of the season, falling 79-59 to Adna on the road Friday.
Poor decision-making and stretches of weak passing hurt an Eagles team that faltered at times throughout the back-and-forth contest.
“You aren’t going to go on the road an beat a powerhouse without putting four quarters together,” said Elma head coach Matt Ferrier, whose team was outscored 27-12 in the second quarter. “Tonight, we looked good for three of the four. We are making strides toward becoming a great team. It all takes time.”
Adna was led by the trio of Braeden Salme (32 points), Seth Meister (20 pts.) and Eli Smith (19 pts.).
Elma (2-1 overall) got 24 points from Traden Carter and nine apiece from AJ Holmes and Gibson Cain.
The Eagles hit 23-of-53 shots (43%), including 5-of-14 from 3-point range, four of those from Carter (4-7).
Trailing 47-28 at the half, Elma kept pace with the Pirates over the final two quarters, being outscored 32-31 in the second half.
Ferrier cited the play of sophomore guard Theo Flores for his “solid” play off the bench.
Elma will take on Columbia-White Salmon at 7 p.m. Monday at Columbia High School.
Elma 16 12 19 12 — 59
Adna 20 27 16 16 — 79
Scoring: E — Carter 24, Holmes 9, Cain 9, Studer 8, Seaberg 5, Vessey 4. A — Salme 32, Meister 20, Smith 19, Johnson 4, Neilson 3, Loose 1.
Other scores
PHOTO BY FOREST WORGUM Hoquiam’s Zander Jump runs away from Ocosta defenders during the Grizzlies’ 69-35 victory on Friday at Hoquiam Square Garden in Hoquiam.
