Montesano will have a chance to defend its district championship after upending King’s Way Christian 58-32 in the 1A District 4 Tournament semifinals on Saturday at Montesano High School.

The Bulldogs (20-3 overall) used size to their advantage as the present and future of the Montesano program — sisters McKynnlie and Evanjillie Dalan — combined to score 86% of Monte’s total points.

In contrast to Monte’s hot start in a 65-5 win over La Center two days prior, the Bulldogs got off to a slow start on Saturday, holding a slim 10-7 lead after a low-scoring first quarter.

But the Bulldogs started to right the ship in the second frame, getting the ball inside and using their height advantage to outscore the Knights (11-6) by nine in the second quarter to take a 27-15 lead at the half.

The Bulldogs put the game away in the third period, pounding the paint and the boards to take a 45-22 lead by the beginning of the fourth quarter.

PHOTO BY FOREST WORGUM Montesano freshman Jillie Dalan (24) puts up a shot against King’s Way Christian’s Ella Zimmerman during the Bulldogs’ 58-32 victory in a 1A District 4 semifinal game on Saturday in Montesano.

Montesano senior forward and reigning 1A Evergreen MVP McKynnlie Dalan led the Bulldogs with 28 points, 15 rebounds, seven steals and seven assists in an impactful performance.

“She had a huge game tonight. She did a super job,” Monte head coach Mark Mansfield said. “She did a little bit of everything.”

Freshman Jillie Dalan also had a big game for the Bulldogs, scoring 22 points to go along with seven rebounds.

Bulldogs senior guard Jaiden King added two points, six assists and four steals.

Montesano shot 43% from the field on 25-of-58 shooting and had 18 assists as a team.

The Bulldogs defense was once again stellar, holding the Knights to eight or fewer points in each of the first three quarters and held a convincing 36-17 rebounding advantage.

PHOTO BY FOREST WORGUM Montesano senior Maia Young (13) dribbles up court against King’s Way Christian’s Bridget Quinn during the Bulldogs’ 58-32 victory in a 1A District 4 semifinal game on Saturday in Montesano.

“Our defense really picked it up in the second half,” Mansfield said. “(KWC) has some girls that can shoot threes. … We made them work hard.”

KWC sophomore point guard Bridget Quinn led the knights with 20 points.

With the victory, Montesano earned a spot in the 1A State regional round and will face Seton Catholic in the district-championship game scheduled for Friday (time and location to be determined).

King’s Way Christian 7 8 7 10 – 32

Montesano 10 17 18 13 – 58

Scoring: KWC – Quinn 20, Broadbent 7, Erwin 5. Montesano – M. Dalan 28, E. Dalan 22, Stanfield 4, King 2, Prom 2.

Seton Catholic 56, Hoquiam 45

Hoquiam’s hopes of a berth in the state playoffs will have to go through the consolation bracket after a 56-45 loss to Seton Catholic in a 1A District 4 semifinal game on Saturday in Vancouver.

The Grizzlies (13-8) led 14-11 after one period and were tied at 26-all at the half before managing 19 points over the final 16 minutes of the game as the Cougars (20-2) took control.

“We battled hard with a great team for three quarters and the wheels fell off a little in the fourth quarter,” Hoquiam head coach Chad Allan said. “Players worked their tail off tonight.”

Seton Catholic standout Anna Monney scored 21 points for a Cougars team that hit eight 3-pointers in the game.

Hoquiam was led by seniors Graci Bonney-Spradlin (14 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists), Chloe Kennedy (12 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists) and Ella Folkers (10 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists).

The Grizzlies shot 32.5% from the field on 14-of-43 shooting and hit 14 of 25 free throws (56%), but committed a costly 28 turnovers in the game.

Hoquiam will face Eatonville in an elimination game scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday in Montesano (subject to change).

Hoquiam 14 12 10 9 – 45

Seton Catholic 11 15 12 18 – 56

Scoring: Hoquiam – Bonney-Spradlin 14, Kennedy 12, Folkers 10, Cady 8, Brodhead 1.

Seton Catholic – Mooney 21, Hailey Jo Hammerstrom 13, Clifton 6, Hailey Hammerstrom 6, Williams 5, Jenniges 3, Marichalar 2.