Although Knappa and Neah-Kah-Nie met on Monday, there was good reason to believe that last night's game could be a different story than the 66-32 Knappa win. Neah-Kah-Nie had more of their team back which has been the story of Neah-Kah-Nie's season. Knappa came in riding an 11-game winning streak, while Neah-Kah-Nie has struggled with sickness and a tough stretch of league play going 0-4 since coming off several cancelations.
Knappa was quick to demonstrate why they are the statistically best defense in the league by holding Neah-Kah-Nie to just 2 points in the first quarter, but Neah-Kah-Nie did not roll over. "I feel good about how they played in the first half. They had good fight," Neah-Kah-Nie coach Erik White said reflecting on the game. In the second quarter, Knappa switched to a man-to-man defense and Neah-Kah-Nie took advantage scoring 16. However Knappa still surged ahead on offense. Neah-Kah-Nie could not stop senior Logan Morrill who scored 15 points in the first half. As is often the case with Knappa, it was not a one-man show: nine different players scored in the first half en route to a 76-42 Knappa victory.
But still, Neah-Kah-Nie did not give up. Neah-Kah-Nie came our in the third quarter in a full-court press. This led to an explosion of action as players flew up and down the floor with both teams pressing. Tanner Jackson ran himself haggard registering 8 points, numerous steals, rebounds, and assists. Knappa coach Paul Isom called the effort "superhuman". Jackson was laconic about his energetic play, "I just work hard no matter what."
Jackson's energy was infectious. Knappa scored 31 points in the third quarter and held Neah-Kah-Nie to just 12 points. But Neah-Kah-Nie still fought for every loose ball and refused to let any shot go uncontested. Coach White reflected that Neah-Kah-Nie's fight went "a little too far" referencing a chippy sequence between the teams that resulted in a technical foul getting called.
From start to finish, Knappa demonstrated that they are the team to beat in the Northwest League. With the best statistical defense and offense in the Northwest League, they are an electric team to watch. All that being said, Knappa has yet to face Mannahouse. Additionally, Columbia Christian, who has played Knappa closest so far, is now fully healthy. As coach Isom said, "there are still some unknowns".
Morrill led all scorers with 17 points while Anthony Allen led Neah-Kah-Nie with 9 points. Jackson ended the game with 10 points. Neither Morrill or Jackson played in the fourth quarter.
Knappa has three big games coming up on their schedule. On Saturday Knappa plays 4A #6 Seaside at home, then Monday they travel to play Columbia Christian, and finally they play 1A #7-ranked Country Christian.
Neah-Kah-Nie will not have much time to recover from the games this week. On Saturday they play Vernonia before playing four more games next week. Coach White hopes that his team will continue to build their program and put themselves in position to play for a playoff berth come districts.
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