Natalie Fraley scored 27 points and made 5 of 6 free throws late to help Kelso advance to the 3A girls basketball bi-district championship game with a 76-68 win over Gig Harbor.
Kelso will play Auburn at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday.
Kelso jumped out to 20-9 lead after one quarter, but Gig Harbor rallied to cut Kelso’s lead to 32-31 by halftime.
The Hilanders came out in the third quarter, building their lead to as many as 18 before the Tides cut to 12 by the end of third quarter.
A couple of 3-pointers early in the fourth help Gig Harbor narrow the gap some more.
Gig Harbor eventually tied the game up with 1:41 to play. But Kelso seized back the lead, and then preserved it with big rebounds from Fraley and Evermore Kaiser, who also scored 17 points.
Lexi Grumbois also added 17 points for Kelso.
KELSO 76, GIG HARBOR 68
KELSO — Kenzie Milligan 6, Bregan Ruhland 0, Emily Roe 7, Madalynn Moe 0, Ross 0, Evermore Kaiser 17, Haley Little 2, Natalie Fraley 27, Lexi Grumbois 17. Totals 26 (8) 16-20 76.
GIG HARBOR — Paul 11, Schwab 24, Hunter 5, Peschek 16, Poppolo 10, Berry 1. Totals 24 (10) 9-15 68.
Kelso 20 12 24 20—76
Gig Harbor 9 22 13 24—68
