Jake Wise scored 20 points and grabbed 15 rebounds, and the host Wildcats won a back-and-fourth non-league contest.
Neither team ever led by more than five points. A Jackson Leslie free throw with 4 seconds left sealed the win for La Center (2-0).
Troy Flanagan scored 14 points for Woodland (1-1). The Beavers hit nine 3-pointers, but managed only seven 2-point baskets.
First year La Center coach Jeremy Ecklund said his team did a nice job of denying opportunities for Woodland’s 6-foot-11 Bryce Mulder, forcing the Beavers to shoot from the perimeter.
The game included a half-court basket by Brody Seter that gave La Center a 26-24 halftime lead.
The strangest play came early in the contest. Mulder blocked an inside attempt by Wise so hard that the ball went straight down, bounced off the floor and into the hoop for two of Wise’s points.
Next for La Center is the Trico League opener next Tuesday at Castle Rock.
Woodland hosts Kelso next Wednesday and La Center on Dec. 11 before opening 2A Greater St. Helens League play.
LA CENTER 49, WOODLAND 45
WOODLAND (1-1) — Bryce Mulder 9, McKay Flanagan 3, Devin Rice 1, Hayden Huddleston 6, Palmer Dinehart 0, Wyatt Harsh 3, Tanner Sixberry 9, Christian Mendez 0, Tyler Flanagan 14. Totals 16 (9) 4-7 45.
LA CENTER (2-0) — Avery Seter 4, Jake Morris 0, Matt Baher 1, Jake Wise 20, Brody Seter 7, Jackson Leslie 3, Jon Eastman 5, Dalton Morgan 9, Jack Hiller 0. Totals 16 (5) 12-22 49.
Woodland 11 13 13 8–45
La Center 10 16 13 10–49
JV — Woodland 35-22.
