By GEORGE KUNKE
South Bend clinched undisputed possession of second place in the Pacific League and a first round bye at the District IV tournament by ripping apart Naselle 52-31 last Wednesday at Koplitz Field House. Katlyn Sawyer notched a double-double with 18 points and a dozen rebounds.
The Lady Indians 11-9 overall and 9-3 in the league open district play Saturday against the winner of the Central League’s No.3/No.7 winner. The game will be played in Montesano or Rochester.
“We got off to a slow start and Naselle did a good job of taking advantage of it,” South Bend head coach Gary Wilson told the Herald. “Once we gained the lead midway through the first quarter, we settled down offensively and got stronger as the game went on.
“Defensively, we were solid for the majority of the game,” Wilson said. “I was pleased with the ball movement something that we are getting better at every game. Katlyn and Makenzie (Russell) were definitely on the receiving end of that.
“This was a good finish to our regular season,” Wilson said. “I think we definitely have improved throughout the season. We have a tough district to compete in we need to step up to another level this week in practice.”
Russell scored 11 points and grabbed five boards and Myranda Curtis collected nine rebounds and scored seven points. Sierra Cearns scored six, handed out four assists and made four steals.
“Allison Funkhouser had a good all around game at the guard position,” Wilson added.