MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Green River 76, Grays Harbor 67

Grays Harbor College lost for the fourth time in the past five games in suffering a 76-67 loss to Green River on Wednesday at Green River College.

All five of the Chokers starters scored at least eight points or more, but Grays Harbor’s defense allowed Green River to shoot 26-for-52 (50%) from the field and 7-for-18 (39%) from the 3-point line.

Grays Harbor (14-11 overall, 5-5 NWAC West) was also whistled for 25 fouls leading to 30 free-throw attempts for Green River, of which the Gators converted 17.

Zyare Ruffin and Michael Sampson led Grays Harbor in scoring with 12 and 10 points, respectively.

Genuine Powell (9 points, 11 rebounds), Tristan Schoepf (9 pts., 6 reb., 5 steals), Zachary Marrotte (8 pts., 5 reb.) and Matt Pearson (8 pts.) rounded out Grays Harbor’s top scorers.

Green River (12-13, 4-6) had four scorers in double figures, led by Tanner Nygren (14 pts.) and Derek Cox (13 pts., 11 reb., 6 blocks).

The loss drops the Chokers into a three-way tie for third place in the Northwest Athletic Conference West Region with Highline and Centralia.

Grays Harbor 27 40 — 67

Green River 32 44 — 76

WOMEN”S COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Green River 65, Grays Harbor 50

Grays Harbor remains winless on the season after a 65-50 loss to Green River on Wednesday at Green River College.

Armonnie Byrd scored 28 points on 9-of-26 shooting and 10-of-16 from the free-throw line. Byrd also recorded 14 rebounds and four steals in the game.

Kamimi Papp added seven points for Grays Harbor (0-13, 0-8 NWAC West), which shot 16-of-62 (26%) as a team.

Grays Harbor 12 9 16 13 — 50

Green River 11 19 18 17 — 65

GIRLS PREP BASKETBALL

Mossyrock 40, Willapa Valley 35

If Willapa Valley is to qualify for the state tournament it will have to do so through the consolation bracket after a valiant effort fell short in a 40-35 loss to Mossyrock in the opening round of the 2B Girls District 4 Basketball Tournament on Wednesday at WF West High School.

Willapa Valley (13-8) faced favored Mossyrock (16-4) and struggled to make a shot in the second quarter, falling behind 31-18 with just a few minutes remaining in the first half after scoring just three points in the frame.

But Willapa Valley responded with a 14-4 run to close out the half and get back within striking distance at 35-32.

In the second half, Willapa Valley kept the game close with its 2-3 zone defense, which caused Mossyrock some problems according to Willapa Valley head coach John Peterson.

“We used a 2-3 zone because I didn’t feel like we could match-up with them, quickness-wise,” said the veteran coach after making the switch from Willapa Valley’s normal man-to-man defense. “And it bothered them.”

Mossyrock hit on 16-of-51 shots from the field (31%).

Willapa Valley also outrebounded Mossyrock 29-26 despite being the smaller team.

But shot-making has been a problem this season for Willapa Valley and it proved to be a weakness again on Wednesday. Willapa Valley shot just 29% from the field on 12-of-41 shooting.

“We couldn’t make a shot to save our souls,” Peterson said.

Willapa Valley was within a basket in the waning moments of the game, but Mossyrock guard Payton Torrey hit a 3-pointer with six seconds left to relegate Willapa Valley to the consolation bracket.

Peterson said turnovers also proved costly in the loss.

“You give them five extra possessions and they beat you by five,” he said. “That will really hurt you.”

As she has done all season, senior Katie Adkins led Willapa Valley with 13 points to go along with three steals.

Cami Swartz had another solid game for Willapa Valley, recording a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Swartz also had three steals and two blocks.

Lanissa Amacher scored six points and grabbed four rebounds off the bench in a performance Peterson said was “wonderful.”

Despite the loss, Peterson was proud of the effort he saw from his team against a tough opponent.

“It was an unbelievable effort,” he said. “I told them I couldn’t be more proud of them if they were my own daughters.”

Willapa Valley 10 3 10 12 — 35

Mossyrock 13 6 12 9 — 40

Other scores

1B Boys District 4 Tournament

Three Rivers Christian 61, North River 57