Holiday Classic: Naselle outlasts Ilwaco 48-42 to win winter tournament title

Published 9:45 pm Saturday, December 28, 2024

By LUKE WHITTAKER
Chinook Observer

: Jack Strange

ILWACO — Naselle and Ilwaco battled for four periods before two senior teammates sealed the championship in the final seconds for the Comets at the 2024 Holiday Classic basketball tournament.

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Naselle senior guard Jack Strange (4) and senior Jacob Lindstom (5) each calmly sank free throws, sealing the Comets 48-42 win over the Fishermen in a physical and deeply-competitive championship game at the Holiday Classic on Saturday, Dec. 28., at Carl Aase Gymnasium, the culmination of two-day tournament featuring four teams, including Naselle, Ilwaco, Seaside and Pe Ell.

Strange (4) finished with a game-high 15 points in a game that never separated by more than single digits. Lindstrom (5) added 10 points, the only other Comet in double figures.

Through the first period both teams exchanged baskets and leads, tying at four different points before Naselle ended on a 7-2 run, with five points coming from junior Leith Chadwick (23), giving the Comets a 14-9 lead. In the second period, the Naselle lead grew to the largest margin (nine points) of the game after a flurry of three-pointers from Lindstrom (5) and junior Scott Henington (3), followed by back-to-back layups from Strange (4), extending the Naselle lead to 30-21 at halftime.

In the third period, defensive pressure from Ilwaco allowed the Fishermen to climb back into the game, outscoring the Comets 9-4, drawing within two possessions (34-30) heading into the final period.

In the final period, both teams traded baskets before a three pointer from Ilwaco junior Dylan Pelas (11) drew the Fishermen within three points (45-42) with 38 seconds to go.

Naselle seniors Lindstrom (5) and Strange (4) each sank free throughs on the ensuing intentional fouls, cementing the tournament championship 48-42 for the Comets, who climb to 4-1 overall.

Ilwaco freshmen Haddox Hazen (1) finished with a team-high 10 points for the Fishermen, who fall to 3-5 overall on the season.

In the third place game, Pe Ell beat Seaside 58-43.