The Tenino boys basketball team got its winter started with a bang Tuesday at Brock Court, taking a close win over Bear Creek, 74-73.
“I’ll tell you what,” Tenino coach Ryan Robertson said. “That was a heck of a high school basketball game.”
The Beavers bounced ahead to a nine-point lead at halftime, before giving it away in the third quarter to go into the fourth tied. Tenino went back in front thanks to a pair of huge 3-pointers from Preston Snider, and held on with defense down the stretch.
“For an early season game, our defense is not near where we want it to be,” Robertson said. “But we got stops down the stretch when needed to.”
Noah Schow dropped 26 points for the Beavers, all in the first three quarters, and also had six rebounds and two assists.
He shared the team lead in points with Austin Gonia, who put up 26 on 11-of-12 shooting, and also pulled down 13 boards.
“That kid is just a warrior and a leader,” Robertson said.
Snider had nine points, four boards and three steals, while Will Feltus had four assists and three steals.
Cody Strawn, playing in his first basketball game since seventh grade, had two points and a few crucial defensive plays down the stretch, while Ashton Moore, a transfer from North Thurston, hit a pair of threes.
“We have a little bit more balance this year,” Robertson said. “Now we just have to learn how to use it and learn how to play together.”
Tenino will be back in action Thursday with a Nisqually Valley non-league clash against Rainier.
