Players from Columbia Adventist Academy spill onto the court in celebration following a last-second three pointer that gave the Kodiaks a 51-49 win over Naselle, ending their season.

MONTESANO — For 31 minutes and 56 seconds the Naselle boys basketball team looked destined for the WIAA 1B state tournament. But in those final four seconds, Columbia Adventist Academy senior guard Micah Payne hit a last-second three-pointer to send the Kodiaks into the state tournament with a 51-49 stunner over the Comets last Friday in Montesano.

Naselle (11-13) finished fourth place in the 1B Columbia Valley standings, and will say goodbye to three seniors, including Kolten Lindstrom (14), Clay Bergeson (23) and Elmer Toftemark (44).

Comets fall in final seconds

In the opening quarter, Naselle had their way with Columbia Adventist Academy, led by brothers Kolten and Jacob Lindstrom, who combined for 14 points to give the Comets a 15-6 lead after the first eight minutes.

Kolten added five more points in the second quarter, along with four from junior power forward Jacob Pakenen. However, the Kodiaks were able to narrow the distance, with Naselle leading 26-22 at the half.

In the third quarter, the Kodiaks put the clamps on the Comet offense, holding Naselle without a bucket for the first six minutes as CAA climbed back into the game. A Jacob Lindstrom three-pointer gave the Comets some breathing room (31-26) heading into the final and decisive quarter.

In the fourth quarter, both teams traded baskets as they heated up offensively. Naselle senior guard Kolten Lindstrom hit a fade-away jumper, giving the Comets a 47-42 lead with less than one minute remaining, but the Kodiaks continued to find answers of their own to match each Naselle possession.

With four seconds remaining, the Kodiaks took their final shot, a high-arching, deep three-pointer by Michah Payne destined to end Naselle’s season and send CAA into the state tournament.