After two draining games that were decided by a total of six points, the Northwest Christian Crusaders will try and make it three in a row at the state tournament when they take on Napavine. The Tigers, led by the hot shooting of David Lorton, easily dispatched Lake Roosevelt and Bear Creek to make the championship. Both teams feature good size underneath and skilled guard play on the perimiter. Should be a doozy.

Kwinn Hanson has all six points for NWC in the early going and swats a shot by Trevor Brown out of bounds to get the Crusader faithful buzzing.

 

Northwest Christian 8, Napavine 7 through one quarter

Hanson finishes the first quarter with all eight Crusader points, helping them to a four-point lead. But Jordan Brown drains a 3-pointer at the buzzer to draw the Tigers to within one at the end of the frame.

 

Jon Williams is doing a perfect impression of Lorton's shadow in this game. The Tigers' leading scorer has just one bucket and it came with Williams on the bench.

 

Hanson scores yet again. He has the Crusaders' first 10 points now. Make that the first 12.

 

Hanson goes on a 6-0 run all by himself and the Crusaders now lead 14-9 with 4:06 to play in the first half. The Tigers finally find a way to stop him, though, as NWC takes him out of the game for a breather.

 

Short breather. Hanson's back.

 

A 6-0 Napavine run brings the Tigers back within one. Hanson goes one of two from the line. 17-15 NWC.

 

Northwest Christian 17, Napavine 15 halftime

In the first half, no Crusader other than Hanson scored as the junior finished the half with a game-high 17 points. The Tigers spread it around for their 15 points, but neither team has looked especially sharp in the early going. One point of concern for the Crusaders is defensive stopper Williams currenty has three fouls.

 

Northwest Christian halftime leaders

Kwinn Hanson 17 points 4 rebounds 2 blocks

Cole Ramey 2 rebounds 1 assist

Napavine halftime leaders

David Lorton 4 points 2 rebounds

Reece Stanley 4 points 6 rebounds

 

Hanson finally has some company in the scoring column. Reuben Clark, the other NWC big man scores at the 7:27 mark of the third quarter to give the Crusaders a 19-15 lead.

 

Just as in their first game, Cole Ramey and Clark come inches from completing an ally-oop pass. But Clark is fouled on the attempt and hits both free ones, scoring the first six points of the third for the Crusaders.

 

Ramey joins the party with a 3-point shot, the first of the night for the Crusaders. NWC has built its lead to six in the third quarter, scoring 11 in the frame -- none coming from Hanson.

 

Clark hits the bench for the Crusader with four fouls at the 2:05 mark in the third quarter.

 

Northwest Christian 30, Napavine 22 through three quarters

Hanson still has more than half of his team's points, but the good news for the Crusaders is all 13 in the third quarter came from other contributors. Colton Brown now leads the Tigers with six points, but the strugles from long range continue to haunt them in this game.

 

Hanson scores a quick four points to open a 10-point NWC advantage.

 

Four straight for Napavine as the Crusaders appear to be stagnating in an effort to run out the clock. At some point they have to score to stay out in front.

 

Ramey does just that, driving into the lane for a pull-up jumper. 38-28 NWC with 2:35 left.

 

Clark goes to the line for a one-and-one with 1:04 left. He misses the first and Hanson is called for over the back on the loose ball.

 

Stanley scores two at the line to put Napavine down seven, 39-32 with 40.4 seconds left.

 

The Tigers have forced two empty possessions by the Crusaders, but can't convert. They still trail by seven.

 

Dakota Winward puts a bow on it for the Crusaders, hitting a pair of free throws with 19.6 seconds left. Then for good measure, Hanson bats a shot into the fifth row.

 

Can't blame the kids for being excited. But Williams picking up Ramey with 2.4 seconds left earns the Crusaders a traveling violation.

 

Northwest Christian 41, Napavine 32 final

1st place: Northwest Christian

2nd place: Napavine

 

Northwest Christian leaders

Kwinn Hanson 21 points

Cole Ramey 7 points

Napavine leaders

Colton Brown 10 points

Reece Stanley 10 points

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