Knappa's boys basketball team extended its winning streak to 12 on Saturday with its most impressive victory of the season.
The 2A No. 2 Loggers won 58-52 at home over 4A No. 5 Seaside. Considering Knappa lost to Seaside handily in the teams' last two meetings -- 62-25 last season and 79-49 in 2018-19 -- the Loggers entered the game with something to prove.
“They cemented how tough they are,” Knappa coach Paul Isom said of his players, who started the winning streak after opening the season with a 47-42 loss to 2A No. 1 Western Christian. “This was a team win. It’s impossible to pick out a single star.”
Logan Morrill, a 6-foot-9 senior, scored a team-high 15 points for Knappa (12-1). Senior guards Tanner Jackson and Shane McMahan added 13 and 12 points, respectively, for the Loggers.
Seaside (11-4) controlled much of the first half, led by senior Ever Sibony. The 6-0 guard scored 13 of his team-high 15 points in the first half and played lock-down defense on McMahan, holding him to two points before the break.
Jackson kept Knappa in the game with clutch steals and timely baskets, scoring nine of his points in the first half.
Knappa finally regained the lead in the third quarter as McMahan scored 6 points in the third, leading a 21-point quarter for the Loggers. Sibony tired in the second half and struggled to find his shot, slowing down the Seaside attack. It was up to Cash Corder and Carson Kawasoe to keep Seaside in the game.
Kawasoe took advantage of openings in the Knappa zone to drain two 3-point shots in the third while Corder slashed to the rim. Going into the fourth quarter, Knappa led 46-44.
The fourth quarter was a grind for both teams. The game had exhausted all the players and field goals were hard to come by. This meant that each free throw and rebound were magnified in value.
Knappa made the most of their trips to the free throw line, sinking 19 of 25 on the night (10 in the fourth quarter). Seaside shot well from the charity stripe, but with only 7 opportunities in the game, the differential showed.
Carter Morrill secured vital rebounds for Knappa down the stretch and 6-9 Logan Morrill made 5 out 6 free throw shots in to put the game away.
McMahan said the Loggers just needed to “keep their composure and control the pace” to get back in the game.
Seaside coach Bill Westerholm said his team did not hit shots that they normally do, and that “poor shot selection” allowed Knappa to go on runs.
“We knew it was going to be a battle,” Westerholm said. “Knappa is much improved over last year. You need to respect the competition.”
The Loggers proved that they don't just compete with bigger schools, but that they are capable of beating the title contenders at that level. "They [Knappa] would compete for the Cowapa League title," Westerholm said.
Seaside has discovered a weakness for Knappa. Knappa's only loss came without McMahan. On Saturday, when Seaside was able to keep McMahan in check, they led the game. Unfortunately for the Seagulls, this advantage did not prove decisive. McMahan adjusted to the pressure and eventually broke through.
Seaside has nothing to be ashamed of in their performance. They led for most of the game and had calls not go their way. If there was a rematch, there is a very good chance that the Seagulls emerge victorious.
Knappa turns around and has series of away games next week. On Monday, they play a confident Columbia team, followed by a trip to Portland Christian on Tuesday. On Thursday, the Loggers will travel to play the 1A No. 8 Country Christian.
Seaside gets a quick break before playing Tillamook on Tuesday. They will then host No. 8 Banks in a Friday night showdown.
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