Nighthawk boys state run ends

OAKESDALE - After entering the 1B WIAA State Tournament as the number 12 overall seed, the Oakesdale Nighthawks boys team season came to an end in the round of 12.

The round of 12 game was played on Wednesday, Feb. 28, at the Spokane Arena against the number five seeded Neah Bay Red Devils.

To get to the game against Neah Bay, Oakesdale took on Sound Christian Academy on Friday, Feb, 23, in Central Valley.

Oakesdale handled Sound Christian Academy, earning the 56-44 victory to set them up in a loser-out match with Neah Bay.

The game against the Red Devils saw Oakesdale trail by five at halftime, then struggled in the second half as the Red Devils earned the 58-43 victory.

Oakesdale scored just eight points in the first quarter.

Trailing by five, the Nighthawks and Red Devils were deadlocked at 11 points each in the second quarter.

The Nighthawks shot 8/15 from two in the first half, but made just one three in the half. The Red Devils made five two point shots and four three points shot in the first half.

Oakesdale would make seven two-point shots in the second half, however, they made just one three in the half.

Neah Bay took advantage of the three-point struggles from Oakesdale, scoring four of their own in the second half to lead a 20-14 third-quarter advantage.

Oakesdale failed to out-score Neah Bay in any of the four quarters, leading to their 15-point season ending loss.

Freshman Ryker Reed finished the game with 19 points and five rebounds. He will be the key for Oakesdale in for the next three seasons.

All 43 of the Nighthawk points came from their five starters.

Oakesdale will say goodbye to their senior class, and look to regroup for another run in the state tournament in the 2024-25 season.