The Yelm Tornados played three games in as many days as part of the sixth annual T-Town Throwdown tournament from Tuesday, Dec. 27 to Thursday, Dec. 29, securing one victory along the way.
Yelm’s first game of the tournament was on Dec. 27 against Juanita High School, who is a member of the King County 3A league.
According to Yelm’s Head Coach Dave Wasankari, the final moments of the game proved to be dramatic. After Juanita took the lead late in the game, junior Marius Aalona hit a clutch three pointer to give the Tornados a two-point lead. Senior Trevontay Smith then hit a free throw at the line as the game winded down.
Yelm was able to come out on top in their first T-Town Throwdown matchup with a 64-61 victory.
“We pulled it out,” Wasankari said. “It was a battle. It was a physical, hard fought battle, and we found a way to grind it out.”
He credited Aden Schaler for playing well off the bench as the senior scored 14 points in the contest. Wasankari said senior Alex Hubbard also hit several “big” three pointers coming off of the bench.
Smith was shutout through the first three quarters of the game, according to Wasankari, but the offensive weapon came alive in the fourth as he scored 16 points to aid the Tornados.
Yelm’s next contest was against Newport, who are members of the 4A KingCo league. Newport entered the tournament with a 4-3 record.
Coming off of a victory against Silas, where Newport secured a 73-68 win, Yelm entered into a back and forth matchup with Newport.
Wasankari said the final minutes of the game proved to be the most critical.
The Tornados missed two shots, while Newport drilled back-to-back three pointers to extend their lead over Yelm. Wasankari said from that point on, Yelm was forced to foul in hopes of securing a lead, but Newport handled their business at the free throw line and defeated Yelm 75-63.
Scoring for the Tornados was Smith with 24 points, junior Damian Aalona with 13 points, sophomore Alex Segarra with 13 points, and junior Marius Aalona with 10 points.
“It was a really competitive game, our most complete game so far,” Wasankari said. “Newport is a good team and a very complete basketball team.”
The Tornados final matchup of the T-Town Throwdown was on Thursday, Dec. 29, against Evergreen High School (Vancouver) of the 4A SPSL.
The Tornados weren’t able to overcome Evergreen’s offense and lost their last game of the tournament, 66-53.
“We played some good games,” Wasankari said. “While we’re not happy with losing, we’re happy with the progress we made and that’s what Christmas tournaments are for.”
The tournament participants included Yelm, Foss, Evergreen, Juanita, Newport, Life Christian, Woodland and Silas.
The Tornados returned to South Sound Conference play on Wednesday, Jan. 4 in a road game against North Thurston High School. The Rams sported a 4-0 record in the South Sound Conference and an 8-2 record overall.
The Tornados will then return home on Friday, Jan. 6 as they host the Central Kitsap Cougars. The Cougars currently sport a record of 1-3 in the SSC and 2-5 overall.
Both games will begin at 7 p.m.
