Montesano and Elma both staved off elimination with season-saving victories in the 1A District 4 Tournament on Saturday.

DAILY WORLD FILE PHOTO Elma guard Cason Seaberg scored 20 points in the Eagles’ 51-38 win over Tenino in the 1A District 4 Tournament on Saturday in Elma.

Elma 51, Tenino 38

Elma found its form and eliminated league-rival Tenino in a 51-38 victory 1A District 4 Tournament game on Saturday in Elma.

Elma (7-9 overall) ramped up its defensive pressure throughout the game, holding the Beavers (7-11 overall) to just 12 points in the first half and 11 in the all-important fourth quarter.

“Our defensive plan was executed to perfection tonight,” Elma head coach Matt Ferrier said, noting his team held Tenino senior Takari Hickle — who had averaged 20 points per game in their previous two meetings — to just eight points on Saturday. “The kids were committed to the double team in the post. The kids were dedicated to rebounding.”

Elma outscored the Beavers 14-5 in the second quarter to take a 20-12 lead into the half.

Leading 34-27 entering the fourth quarter, Elma pulled away by outscoring Tenino 17-11 over the final eight minutes of the game.

On offense, sophomore guard Cason Seaberg had the biggest game of his prep career, scoring a game high 20 points that included nine in the fourth quarter to help the Eagles put the game away.

“He was phenomenal,” Ferrier said. “Ready to shoot, ready to defend, ready to play. Kid had his best game of the year when we needed it the most.”

Seaberg’s older brother, senior Canon Seaberg, added 14 points as the Eagles advanced in the consolation bracket and ended the Beavers season.

“We were desperate. Our team word was desperate,” Ferrier said. “Our seniors had their backs against the wall and didn’t want their careers to end tonight. They showed up. Did they ever show up.”

Elma will face Seton Catholic, which lost 47-43 to Eatonville in the district semifinals on Saturday, in an elimination game on Wednesday (time, location to be determined).

Tenino 7 5 15 11 — 38

Elma 6 14 14 17 — 51

Tenino (38) — Fletus 12, Hickle 8, Schow 6, Gonia 6, Snider 3, Noonan 2

Elma (51) — Cason Seaberg 20, Canon Seaberg 14, Witt 4, Carter 4, Cain 3, Comer 2

Montesano 55, La Center 42

Montesano used a big fourth quarter to survive and advance with a 55-42 win over La Center in the 1A District 4 Tournament on Saturday in Montesano.

With three players scoring in double figures and a big defensive effort in the second half, Montesano staved off elimination and advanced in the consolation bracket of the district tournament.

Monte (5-14 overall) held a 14-7 lead at the end of the first quarter but trailed 29-26 at the half after being outscored 22-12 in the second quarter.

Behind eight points apiece from Caydon Lovell and Trent Adams in the second half, the Bulldogs took a 43-41 lead at the end of the third quarter and held the Wildcats (7-15) to just a single free throw over the final eight minutes.

“Huge effort by the boys tonight,” Monte head coach Doug Farmer said. “Trent Adams had one of his better nights scoring and Caydon Lovell continues to be a great leader for us and had a huge all-around game. … Excited to play again on Wednesday.”

Lovell led all scorers with 19 points with Adams (11 points) and Camden Taylor (10 pts.) also scoring in double digits for Montesano.

The Bulldogs will face King’s Way Christian, which lost to Castle Rock in the district semifinals on Saturday, in an elimination game on Wednesday (time, location to be determined).

La Center 7 22 12 1 — 42

Montesano 14 12 17 12 — 55

La Center (42) — Walker 10, Hylton 8, J. Nixon 6, A. Nixon 4, Rainey 3, Mann 3, Gardner 3, Grindle 2, Hammock 2

Montesano (55) — Lovell 19, Adams 11, Taylor 10, Peterson 7, Busz 4, Wilson 2, Cobb 2

Firm Foundation 62, Taholah 33

Taholah’s season ended in the second round of the 1B District 4 Tournament with a 62-33 loss to Firm Foundation on Saturday in Taholah.

Taholah (7-10) was held to just 13 points in the first half and trailed 24-13 at halftime.

The Chitwhins were outscored 38-20 in the second half.

Taholah was led by freshman Jayden Lewis, who had a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds.

Freshman Isaac Valenzuela and sophomore Davian McCrory scored nine points apiece for the Chitwhins, which will be returning all but two players next season.

Firm Foundation 12 12 18 20 — 62

Taholah 6 7 10 10 — 33

Firm Foundation (62) — N/A

Taholah (33) — Lewis 13, Valenzuela 9, McCrory 9, Capoeman 2