After fighting and scratching their way into the district playoffs, the Yelm Tornados boys basketball team ended its season at Kelso High School with a 88-79 loss to the Hilanders on Friday, Feb. 10.
Kelso entered the contest with a record of 10-13 overall and 5-4 in the Greater St. Helens League, while Yelm sported an overall record of 7-10 and 6-8 in the South Sound Conference.
After the nearly 90 minute drive to Kelso High School, Yelm and Kelso were set for tip-off at 6 p.m.
The contest proved to be a high scoring matchup, as Yelm beat their season high for scoring with 79 points. Offensively, the Tornados had plenty of opportunity to secure points at the free throw line as the team had over 40 attempts.
Yelm’s offensive outburst was not enough to secure a victory, as they allowed 88 points defensively during the game.
Trevontay Smith, who has been an offensive weapon for Yelm during his multiple seasons as a varsity starter, finished his final high school basketball game with 28 points.
The first team South Sound Conference guard said it was “the icing on the cake” to be able to play one final postseason game with his team.
“It was a very close game from the start. We finished the first half ahead and when we came back for the third quarter, we weren’t performing as well,” Smith said. “It was frustrating with some of the calls we were getting and just having unnecessary mistakes. But we fought hard and were on a comeback, but it just wasn’t enough to get the win.”
Smith, who averaged 24 points, three assists and two steals per game, will be missed by the Tornados next year. He encouraged his teammates who will return next season to continue working hard and to never lose sight of what is important in sports.
“I want to tell the underclassmen to keep putting in the work, because hard work pays off,” Smith said. “Be coachable, talk on the court and lead your team.”
Yelm finished its season at 7-11, a one game improvement from the 2021-22 season.
Other scores from around the South Sound Conference in the district tournament included a 70-63 Capital victory over Kent Meridian, a 70-67 Gig Harbor win over Mountain View, and a 51-50 Timberline victory over North Thurston.
