NAPAVINE — It was clear early on that Layton Griffith was in store for a big night.
Just six minutes into Napavine’s matchup against Rainier on Friday, the sophomore was already up to 10 points, and he helped the Tigers build a 10-point lead.
Griffith continued to roll throughout the remainder of the game, and Napavine rolled to a 59-49 victory, one that pushes its win streak to five.
Griffith finished with 27 points while shooting 12 for 18 from the floor, and he also hauled in 11 rebounds to finish with a double-double.
“When you have almost 30 points and shoot minimal times, that’s a pretty good guy to go to as much as you absolutely possibly can,” Napavine coach Kayden Kelly said. “He could have had even more than that if we would have gave him the ball when he had the opportunity.”
Griffith had another successful stretch in the third, where he scored seven straight points to push Napavine’s lead to 21, and the lead got as high as 22 later in the third.
Both Beckett Landram and Cal Bullock added eight points, while Hudson Chambers tallied six points and five rebounds. Tyce Vigre scored four points and hauled in seven rebounds, and Eric Bullock recorded three points, six rebounds, and four assists.
Though it looked like Napavine was poised to pull away with it, the Mountaineers didn’t go quietly.
Early in the fourth quarter, they went on a 14-3 run to get back within eight, but by that point, the game was in its final moments.
Kelly noted that while his defense played hard throughout, it did give up multiple second-chance opportunities, and Rainier took full advantage.
“Our defense, night in and night out, you’re gonna get the same thing,” Kelly said. “They’re going to work hard … But we gotta find a way to put a body on a guy, go get the rebound and finish the defensive possession.”
Rainier coach Ben Sheaffer was proud of the way his team competed despite the scoreline, giving credit to Napavine while still noting that everything the Mountaineers want to accomplish is still in front of them.
“We’re just competing on every possession,” Sheaffer said. “Our goal is to be the best team we can be by the end of the year, and we’re still on pace for that … We’re really proud of our effort, our togetherness, and our ability to deal with some adversity.”
Peyton Sheaffer had another impressive showing, as the junior scored 20 points to go along with 12 rebounds, three assists, three blocks, and two steals.
“Proud of his leadership,” Ben Sheaffer said. “He shows up every day and brings the right mindset and mentality. You know that your program is in good hands when your best player is your hardest worker.”
Jacob Hanson added 12 points and three rebounds, Nehemiah Linson posted six points and two boards, and Jordan Pringle and Ty Beckman combined for eight points.
Rainier (8-8, 6-7 C2BL) will return home to host Elma in a non-league game on Monday, while Napavine (13-3, 10-2 C2BL) will head to Adna on Wednesday.
