High School Girls Basketball: Toutle Lake puts on the pressure to reach District title round

The 2B Tournament – Defense carries Ducks over Adna for State berth; TL to play Napavine for District IV crown

The Toutle Lake Fighting Ducks celebrate following their 45-37 win over Adna in a 2B District IV semifinal game, Tuesday, Feb. 17, at Kelso High School. The victory advanced the Ducks to the District title game, and clinched a berth in the State tournament. / Photo by Ridley Hudson | The Chronicle

Jordan Nailon for BlastZoneMedia.com / blastzonenews@gmail.com

2B Prep Girls Basketball / Report

KELSO – The Fighting Ducks like to play defense and they don’t care who knows it. That philosophy and commitment to the bit allowed the Toutle Lake girls basketball team to take control early in a 45-37 win over Adna in a 2B District IV semifinal game on Tuesday at Kelso High School.

The Ducks held an otherwise dangerous Adna side to just 10 points in the first half on the way to victory, clinching a State berth in the process.

“We had a heckuva defensive game,” TL head coach Daren Dean said. “They’re a good team. The RPI says they’re No. 1. Whatever the RPI is.”

That win put Toutle Lake into the District championship game to face Napavine on Saturday in Chehalis.

Left: Toutle Lake's Lainey Dean sets up a crossover dribble during a 45-37 win over Adna in a 2B District IV semifinal, Tuesday, Feb. 17, at Kelso High School. / Center: The Toutle Lake girls basketball team celebrates after defeating Adna in the District semifinals. / Right: Toutle Lake's Kendal Dean drives the lane during a District semifinal win over Adna. / Photos by Ridley Hudsons | The Chronicle

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