Colville Free-Thrown For Loss Indians Outscored By 22 At Foul Line, Fall 74-50

Limiting Wilson was one of Colville’s main objectives on Thursday.

The wish came true, but it involved the wrong Wilson.

Fourth-ranked Chehalis (23-2) used a 22-point advantage at the free-throw line to defeat Colville, 74-50, eliminating the Indians (13-12) from the boys State AA basketball tournament.

The Indians were concerned about 6-foot-10 junior Brian Wilson, but four Bearcats bettered the post’s 10 points.

The real problem became not who played for Chehalis at the Tacoma Dome, but who didn’t play for Colville.

Colville post Joey Wilson, a 6-7 senior who averages 9.5 points, picked up his third foul late in the first quarter. Wilson played sparingly after that, encountering foul No. 4 early in the third quarter and the final whistle with 5 minutes, 41 seconds left. He scored just four points.

“We needed Wilson on the floor,” said Colville coach Bill Pilgeram, “but we couldn’t keep him there. He’s a great player, but he can’t help us from the bench.”

Colville seniors Mike Mostek and Keith Grittner joined Wilson on the bench in the fourth quarter. The Bearcats made 26 of 37 free throws, while Colville hit 4 of 9.

“Games are won on little things like free throws,” Pilgeram said. “We didn’t get those opportunities.”

The Indians appeared primed for an upset when they whittled away a 28-16 Chehalis lead with a 9-0 run that started 3:29 before halftime.

Colville sheared the edge to 31-30, but the Bearcats made two baskets before halftime, then scored nine of the first 10 points of the second half.

“The key was the first 4 minutes of the second half,” Pilgeram said. “They went from five ahead to about 12.” It was 13, but the exact number didn’t matter after that. Chehalis outscored Colville 30-19 to close the game.

Bearcats senior forward Kraig Perry had more attempts at the line (12) than Colville. The Indians shot their first free throw early in the third quarter.

“We kind of got a wakeup call (Wednesday) night,” Perry said about a loss to White River that ended Chehalis’ 22-game winning streak. “We could have come out and folded, but we weren’t about to.”

Matt Smith ended his outstanding Colville season with 14 points. Grittner (5.8 ppg) also scored 14, 12 in the first half.

Brandon Rinta scored 14 - 11 in the first half - and Perry had 13 points and 11 rebounds for the winners.

“It’s been 23 years since we were (at state),” Pilgeram said. “We’re not going to let two games affect our season.

All Colville starters are seniors except sophomore guard Tim Sprangers.

“We have a great younger group coming up,” Pilgeram said. “We’re going to surprise people next year and for years to come. We want this to become routine.”

Chehalis plays a loser-out game this afternoon against the winner of Thursday night’s late game between Garfield and West Valley (Yakima).

Chehalis 74, Colville 50 Colville 14 16 6 14 - 50 Chehalis 19 16 16 23 - 74

COLVILLE Hardison 1 0-1 3, Mostek 2 0-0 4, Cornwall 1 1-3 3, Sprangers 2 0-0 6, Kane 0 0-0 0, Smith 0 0-0 0, Grittner 7 0-0 14, Wilson 2 0-0 4, Smith 5 3-4 14, Salina 1 0-0 2, Anderson 0 0-0 0, Baker 0 0-1 0. Totals: 21 4-9 50. CHEHALIS J.Rinta 0 0-0 0, Schilperoort 1 0-0 2, Conner 5 1-4 13, Richards 1 0-0 3, Aust 1 0-0 2, Steward 0 2-2 2, Browning 1 0-1 2, B.Rinta 4 5-6 14, Perry 2 9-12 13, Wilson 3 4-6 10, Moog 4 4-4 12, Peterson 0 1-2 1. Totals: 22 26-37 74.

3-pointers - Hardison, Sprangers 2, Smith, Conner 2, Richards, B.Rinta. Total fouls - Colville 24, Chehalis 16. Fouled out - Mostek, Grittner, Wilson. Technicals - Colville bench.