The Panthers played the No. 1 seed tough on the road all night until they had to start fouling and the Monarchs pulled away for the victory in the opening round of the Class 2A district tournament.
Washougal (11-11) was within 46-43 after three quarters and held a six-point lead with about two minutes left, but Mark Morris (18-3) went 9 of 12 from the line in the fourth quarter to finish 20 of 25 for the game.
“They were more aggressive, and they attacked the basket really well,” Washougal coach Malcolm Estes said of the Monarchs. “We got in foul trouble with our big kids. They stepped up their intensity and execution better than we did down the stretch.”
Washougal went to the foul line four times in the game, making three.
“We battled back and got within six a couple of times, but just couldn’t get over the hump,” Estes said. “They attacked the basket and got to the line, and we didn’t.”
