The Tenino boys basketball team dug itself a hole in the first half, but came back with a vengeance in the second at home on Brock Court, beating Ocosta 53-47 in non-league play Wednesday.
The Wildcats led 29-20 at halftime after the Beavers managed just six points in the second quarter, and the gap got to 14 points after the guests went on to score the first five points of the third. But from there, Tenino took control, finishing the quarter on a 17-0 run to take a slim lead going into the fourth.
Austin Gonia led the comeback effort in stop-and-start fashion, racking up 14 free throws as a good chunk of his game-high 22 points.
“Austin took over down the stretch for us offensively, drawing fouls and getting to the free throw line,” Tenino coach Ryan Robertson said.
Behold him, Noah Schow dropped 20 points, and logged seven rebounds, four steals, and three assists. Brody Noonan hauled in 13 rebounds to lead the effort on the glass.
The comeback bid came just in time after a tough offensive start to the game. Tenino finished the evening just 1 for 12 from long range and 36 percent overall from the field.
The Beavers will get another non-league showdown against a foe from the west — this time on the road — when it goes to play 1B Willapa Valley on Friday.
