Collin Delaney scored six points in the final 1:30 to lead the Columbia Adventist boys to a 54-51 win over Naselle in a Class 1B boys basketball state round-of-12 game Wednesday at Spokane Arena.
With the win, the 16th-seeded Kodiaks (18-8) advance to play No. 2 Wellpinit in a state quarterfinal at 2 p.m. Thursday.
In the third meeting between the Columbia Valley League rivals, Naselle got the early jump, going on a 12-0 run to take a 12-2 lead in the first quarter.
Logan Pierce would cap the first quarter for Columbia Adventist by hitting a three-quarters-court shot at the buzzer for what proved to be a pivotal three points for the Kodiaks.
The Kodiaks could get no closer than five points for the rest of the first half, and Naselle opened the third quarter by taking a 39-27 lead.
But Columbia Adventist finished the third quarter on an 11-0 run to get within one. Evan Akrawri’s basket early in the fourth gave Columbia Adventist its first lead since 2-0 as the Kodiaks went up 40-39.
The fourth quarter was a back-and-forth affair with several lead changes until Delaney scored with 41 seconds to go, giving Columbia Adventist a 52-51 lead.
Delaney then got a steal on defense, which led to a pair of free throws with 24 seconds left, putting the Kodiaks up 54-51.
Naselle worked for a tying 3-pointer, but Jacob Lindstrom’s shot with seven seconds left was off the mark, and Columbia Adventist got the rebound to seal the win.
Delaney led all scorers with 18 points after going scoreless in the first quarter. Tristan White added 12 for Columbia Adventist, which has won five straight since a district playoff loss to Mossyrock on Feb. 10.
COLUMBIA ADVENTIST 54, NASELLE 51
COLUMBIA ADVENTIST — Collin Delaney 18, Caleb Payne 2, Logan Pierce 8, Carter Krenzler 0, Evan Akrawi 5, Gareth Neufeld 4, Luke Pierce 5, Tristan White 12, Ethan Heinrich 0. Totals 23 (4) 4-10 54.
NASELLE — Scott Henington 3, Jack Strange 6, Jacob Lindstrom 13, Jacob Pakenen 14, Leith Chadwick 0, Trajen Ford 7, William Anderson 3, Royce Hoff 5. Totals 21 (7) 2-2 51
