Morton-White Pass achieved a significant victory on Thursday night, defeating Winlock 66-47 and securing a place in the District 4 2B Tournament for the first time in three years. The game took place in Toledo, marking a major milestone for the Timberwolves, who had fallen short in the previous two seasons.
In the last two years, Morton-White Pass came close to reaching the district tournament but lost in play-in games. Two years ago, they were edged out by Kalama, and last year, Toutle Lake handed them a tough defeat. This year, however, the Timberwolves turned the tide by dominating the first quarter against Winlock, jumping out to a 30-7 lead.
Head coach Kevin Dunlap praised his team”s performance in the opening quarter, calling it the best they had displayed all season. “We shot the ball very well. We ran the floor very well. We pushed the tempo. I was very proud of how hard they worked,” Dunlap stated.
Morton-White Pass wasted no time, scoring 12 points before Winlock could register a score. Michael Biacan contributed significantly with two early three-pointers. Winlock”s first points came with just over four minutes remaining in the first quarter, but the Timberwolves maintained their aggressive scoring, hitting five three-pointers in the first quarter alone.
Winlock head coach Adam Deck noted that the pressure of the moment may have been overwhelming for his players. “I just think the moment was too big for some of these kids. They”ve never been in this position,” he reflected. Despite a stronger defensive effort in the second quarter, Winlock was unable to close the gap, trailing by 27 points at halftime.
In the second half, Winlock displayed resilience, with Freddy Patching heating up and scoring 17 of his total 24 points. The Cardinals managed to outscore Morton-White Pass 30-22 in the second half, but the early lead proved insurmountable.
With this victory, Morton-White Pass advances to the district tournament where they will face the No. 3 seed Napavine on Saturday at Rochester High School. Dunlap has commended his team”s growth throughout the season, highlighting their ability to compete against more talented teams, which has helped build their confidence.
The Timberwolves” journey to the tournament is a testament to their hard work and determination, especially for their three seniors who have played together since childhood. “We said before the game that we didn”t want to go out like we have the last two years. We had a fire under our belt,” said Kohen Ingalsbe.
Dunlap remains optimistic about his team”s chances in the upcoming tournament, recalling their previous success when they last made it to the district competition as the top team in their league. “I just think they”ve got to believe and they”ve got to work hard. The best thing we could do is come out and battle for four quarters,” he added.
