Naselle sophomore Trajen Ford (24) passes around CAA senior Collin Delaney (1) defends.

NASELLE — The home crowd held their breath as the ball hung high in the Lyle Patterson Gymnasium lights before falling into the hands of Jack Strange, who glided in for the game-sealing layup in the final seconds and sent the Comet fans into a frenzy in a dramatic 46-42 league win over Columbia Adventist Academy last week.

It was a total team effort in picking up the pivotal Columbia Valley League win, with four Comet players reaching double figures in scoring, led by junior guard Jack Strange with 12 points, followed by Jacob Lindstrom with 11 and Jacob Pakenen and William Anderson both with 10.

The game was a back-and-forth defensive battle throughout, with Naselle junior Jacob Lindstrom sprinkling in the occasional trifecta to keep the Kodiaks at arm’s length. Lindstrom also recorded the assist in the heave to Strange that sealed the game in the final seconds.

Naselle (3-1) followed the win with a commanding 74-36 romp over Firm Foundation Christian two days later as they have climbed into fouth place in a highly competitive 1B Columbia Valley League, trailing Mossyrock (4-0), Willapa Valley (3-0) and Pe-Ell (3-1).

The Comets will face two teams seeking their first win of the season this week in South Bend and Lake Quinault before taking on their toughest test of the season (and their rival) Ilwaco on Friday in Naselle.

Up next: Naselle (3-1) will travel to take on South Bend (0-3) and Lake Quinault (0-5) before their showdown with Ilwaco (5-2) on Friday, Dec. 22 in Naselle.