Willapa Valley started the year off with a key 54-49 league victory over Naselle on Monday in Menlo.

The Vikings (7-4 overall, 4-0 1B Columbia Valley) and the Comets (1-4, 1-1) were knotted up at 15-all at the end of the first quarter before Willapa Valley took control by outscoring Naselle 15-5 in the second period.

Willapa Valley was ahead by as much as 16 points in the second half before holding off a Naselle rally for the victory.

The Vikings shot 44% from the field on 20-of-45 shooting, including going 9 of 17 (53) from the free-throw line, making several freebies in the game’s waning moments to secure the victory.

Willapa Valley was led by senior standout Grace Huber, who scored 24 points on 10-of-14 shooting (71%) and grabbed seven rebounds in the game. Huber also went 4 of 6 from the charity stripe (66%).

Freshman Riley Channell scored 12 points off the bench while senior post player Gaby Quezada had eight points and five rebounds.

Vikings senior Brooklyn Patrick had her typical all-around floor game, scoring three points to go along with a team-high eighth rebounds, four assists, three steals and a block.

Naselle was led by Kaylin Shrives (16 points) and Bella Colombo (12), but reigning league MVP Lauren Katyryniuk was held to nine points by the Vikings defense.

“We wanted to limit (Katyryniuk) to 15,” Willapa Valley head coach John Peterson said. “That was really key for us. … I couldn’t be prouder of my girls. They played so well.”

Willapa Valley will host the Washington School for the Deaf (Vancouver) in a league matchup scheduled for 5:45 p.m. on Thursday.

Naselle 11 5 15 18 — 49

Willapa Valley 11 15 16 12 — 54

Scoring: Willapa Valley — Huber 24, Channell 12, Quezada 8, Matlock 3, Emery 3, Patrick 3, Russell 1.