WIAA State Tournament: 1B Championship and 3rd-6th Place Games

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Neah Bay Red Devils def. Garfield-Palouse Vikings 54-41</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Neah Bay pulled away in the second half to secure the 1B state championship with a 54-41 win over Garfield-Palouse. The teams battled early, finishing the first quarter tied before Neah Bay created separation with a strong second quarter. The Red Devils shot 50 percent from three-point range and controlled the rebounding battle 34-27. That combination of perimeter shooting and rebounding helped Neah Bay steadily extend the lead through the final two quarters. When the Red Devils found rhythm offensively, they were able to create the decisive gap late in the game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">3rd/5th Place Game</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Waterville-Mansfield Shockers def. Oakesdale Nighthawks 48-44</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Waterville-Mansfield earned a hard-fought win over Oakesdale in a competitive matchup that featured multiple lead changes. The Shockers trailed at halftime but turned the momentum in the second half with improved shooting and strong guard play. Waterville-Mansfield shot 45 percent from the field after halftime while knocking down several key perimeter shots to take the lead. The Shockers also protected the ball well and converted at the free throw line late in the game. Those small advantages allowed them to close out the four-point victory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">4th/6th Place Game</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lummi Nation Blackhawks def. Pateros Nannies 54-45</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lummi Nation used a strong second half to secure a 54-45 win over Pateros. After trailing early, the Blackhawks responded with a big third quarter that helped swing the momentum of the game. Lummi Nation created additional scoring opportunities through offensive rebounding, finishing with 18 offensive boards and a 38-35 overall rebounding advantage. The Blackhawks also forced turnovers that led to transition opportunities. That extra possession advantage helped Lummi Nation build the lead and maintain control down the stretch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Impact Players from the Round</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Cerise Moss","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'6u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12125","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Neah Bay","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69ae070d7c053"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Moss led Neah Bay with 17 points and provided consistent offensive production throughout the championship game. She knocked down four three-pointers and stretched the defense with her perimeter shooting. That spacing allowed Neah Bay to open driving lanes and keep Garfield-Palouse from collapsing defensively. Moss also handled major minutes and helped stabilize the offense during key stretches. Her shooting helped set the tone for Neah Bay's championship performance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["928992"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69ae070d7c0c6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Collier delivered one of the Vikings' strongest performances with 13 points while knocking down three three-pointers. She provided important scoring during stretches when Garfield-Palouse was trying to keep pace with Neah Bay. Collier also contributed defensively and helped initiate the offense from the perimeter. Her ability to score from outside helped keep the Vikings within reach during the early portions of the game. Performances like that gave Garfield-Palouse chances to stay competitive throughout the contest.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1249065"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69ae070d7c113"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Nelson produced one of the most impactful performances of the day with 16 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists. She controlled the tempo for Waterville-Mansfield while contributing across multiple areas of the game. Nelson also knocked down key free throws late to help secure the victory. Her playmaking helped the Shockers generate consistent scoring opportunities in the second half. When the game tightened late, her leadership and composure helped Waterville-Mansfield close it out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1264162"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69ae070d7c156"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Henley led Oakesdale with 13 points and 10 rebounds while providing a strong interior presence. She consistently battled on the glass and created second-chance opportunities for the Nighthawks. Henley also added assists and defensive activity while anchoring the middle of the floor. Her rebounding helped Oakesdale maintain possession during key stretches of the game. That physical presence inside played a major role in keeping the contest competitive.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1313527"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69ae070d7c198"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rabang led Lummi Nation with 18 points while attacking the defense and getting to the free throw line throughout the game. She converted eight of nine free throws and added five rebounds and three assists. Rabang also generated defensive pressure with multiple steals that created transition scoring opportunities. Her ability to score while also creating plays for teammates helped fuel the Blackhawks' second-half surge. That all-around impact helped Lummi Nation secure the victory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Nevelyn Wilson","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'8u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12123","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Pateros","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69ae070d7c21f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Wilson provided a strong interior presence for Pateros, finishing with 12 points and nine rebounds. She scored efficiently around the basket while helping the Nannies compete on the glass throughout the game. Wilson also provided defensive stability in the paint and helped limit second-chance opportunities early. Her rebounding helped Pateros stay competitive through the first half. Even in the loss, her presence inside remained a key factor for the Nannies.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->