The Shelton boys’ basketball team’s season came to an end Tuesday in Chehalis as the Highclimbers lost to W.F. West 48 to 43 in the second round of the Evergreen Conference Playoffs.
A low scoring first half saw the Bearcats lead by three after the first quarter 11 to 8 and the ‘Climbers going up up five with five minutes remaining in the half. Shelton had a 24-23 lead on W.F. West at halftime.
The score remained close in the third quarter with a three-point Highclimber lead turning into a six-point Bearcat advantage 33-27 heading into the fourth.
In the final quarter, W.F. West built an eight-point lead but Shelton closed that to two before the Bearcats held off the Highclimbers in the final minutes.
W.F. West out-rebounded Shelton 34 to 23.
The Bearcats’ Dirk Plakinger had a game-high 17 points, hitting three, three-pointers.
Chuckie Thompson led the HIghclimbers Shelton in the loss with 14 points while Tyler Ireland added 11.
Shelton finishes the season with a 9-and-5 record.
W.F. West (10-and-4) is the top EvCo team and hosts Ridgefield – the number two team from the Greater St. Helens League – Wednesday.