Trailing at halftime, Woodland slowed down its pace and dialed up its defense to keep its season alive.
The Beavers outscored Aberdeen 19-7 in the third quarter to pull away in a 2A GSHL consolation semifinal at in Longview.
Woodland will play Centralia on Saturday in a winner-to-state, loser-out game in Longview. The Beavers beat the Tigers 63-51 in the tournament’s first round.
In the first half, Woodland tried to match Centralia’s up-tempo style. The Beavers entered the break trailing 32-30.
“At halftime I was really disappointed with our effort defensively,” Woodland coach Jason Buffum said. “We gave up too many easy baskets. We were playing way to fast for ourselves. In the third quarter, we manned up defensively and played the solid defense that we wanted to play.”
Woodland outscored Aberdeen 19-7 in the third quarter and held on from there.
Tanner Sixberry led the Beavers with 14 points and added seven rebounds. The Beavers had an assist on 19 of 23 field goals, including six each from Tanner Froeber and Troy Flanagan.
WOODLAND 65, ABERDEEN 55
WOODLAND — Bryce Mulder 1, Tanner Froeber 13, Ryan Sturdivan 8, Hayden Huddleston 9, Jake Rosenbalm 11, Tanner Sixberry 14, Dillon Wear 0, Troy Flanagan 9. Totals 23 (5) 13-20 65.
ABERDEEN — Campbell 2, Edwards 4, Follette 7, Sloch 13, James 0, Gomez 9, Black 10, Emm 6, Craig 4. Totals 22 (3) 5-9 55.
Woodland 15 15 19 16—65
Aberdeen 15 17 7 16—55
