Friday Roundup: Hoquiam shakes things up with upset over Forks

Grizzlies’ 66-59 victory creates possiblity of three-way tie for second place in 1A Evergreen League

By Ryan Sparks • February 8, 2020 1:30 am

BOYS PREP BASKETBALL

Hoquiam 66, Forks 59

The Hoquiam Grizzlies shook up the 1A Evergreen League standing on Friday with an upset win over Forks, 66-59 at Hoquiam High School.

Hoquiam (7-12 overall, 3-4 Evergreen 1A) responded with an 11-0 run to start the third quarter. was down by as much as 15 points in the first half but cut the Forks lead to nine on a Dane McMillan shot with just four seconds left until halftime.

After the break, the Grizzlies turned up the heat on Forks (13-6, 4-3) using its pressure defense to create turnovers that translated into easy transition buckets. Hoquiam opened the second half with an 11-0 run to seize the lead.

Hoquiam’s offense kept clicking in the fourth quarter as the Grizzlies stretched the lead at nine points and kept the Spartans at bay en route to the 66-59 victory.

“We did a great job of sharing the ball,” Hoquiam head coach Curtis Eccles said of the Grizzlies’ offensive performance. “I was very impressed the way we were able to make the extra pass, many times to the guy under the basket.”

Four Grizzlies scored in double figures, led by Cameron Bumstead’s 17 points and eight rebounds.

Zach Elsos recorded a double-double for Hoquiam with 14 points and 10 rebounds.

Troy McMinn scored 14 points — all in the second half — and Ben Estes added 10 points for the Grizzlies.

Hoquiam went 16-for-20 from the free-throw line as a team, led by Bumstead, who hit 6-of-7 when Forks was forced to foul late in the fourth quarter.

Trey Baysinger led Forks with 29 points.

The win creates the potential for a three-way tie for second place in the 1A Evergreen League between Hoquiam, Elma and Forks depending on what happened in Monday’s final two games of the regular season.

If Montesano beats Forks and Hoquiam defeats Tenino on Monday then Forks, Elma and Hoquiam will be locked in a tie for second place with identical 4-4 league records.

Forks 16 13 6 24 —59

Hoquiam 12 8 24 22 — 66

GIRLS PREP BASKETBALL

Forks 70, Hoquiam 28

Hoquiam fell behind by 15 after the first quarter en route to a 70-28 loss to Forks on Friday in Hoquiam.

Four Spartans scored in double figures, led by Rian Peters’ 17 points.

Hoquiam (3-16, 0-7) was led by Charli Sampson-Eastman, who scored eight points in the contest.

“Your weaknesses will always get exposed in games against good teams,” Hoquiam head coach Chad Allan said of the loss. “Forks came out and played an inspired, well-balanced game at the right time of year, and we did not. No excuses. The game does not lie.”

Forks 25 15 22 8 — 28

Hoquiam 10 9 7 2 — 70

Taholah 69, Lake Quinault 33

Nakeah McCrory scored a game-high 23 points to lead the Taholah Lady Chitwhins to a 69-33 victory over Lake Quinault on Senior Night at Taholah High School.

Angel Ancheta and Ashley Hidalgo added 13 and 11 points, respectively, for a Taholah team that used its defense to lead to offense.

“Constant full-court pressure created turnovers, which led to fast-break points,” Taholah head coach Fred Pope said. “When we slowed the ball down, we ran our offense and were able to hit some big shots.”

Pope offered some kind words for his graduating seniors.

“Overall, I thought we played a solid game and I want to acknowledge our three seniors: Ruby Pope, Lahala Randall and Tiana Ramirez and also our four year manager, Jessie Adams Ramirez, for all of their hard work and creating a solid foundation for our future teams,” he said.

Kat Neeland led Lake Quinault with 19 points.