From the most unpromising of beginnings, Montesano’s boys did their part to set up an Evergreen 1A League basketball showdown.

Overcoming an early nine-point deficit, the Bulldogs used solid defense and brilliant foul shooting to top Forks, 52-42, in the second half of a co-ed doubleheader Friday, Jan. 13, at Bo Griffith Memorial Gym.

The victory lifted the Bulldogs (3-0, 9-5) into a tie with idle Hoquiam for the Evergreen lead. The Harbor rivals collided for the first time this season on Wednesday, Jan. 18 at Hoquiam Square Garden. Results of that game were not available before The Vidette went to press.

Sinking all eight of his free throws, junior guard L.J. Valley paced Montesano with 16 points. Junior forward Trevor Ridgway added 10 for the winners.

The Bulldogs also received vital contributions from a pair of freshmen.

Sam Winter came off the bench to fire in a trio of 3-pointers to tally nine points. Classmate Tanner Nicklas, the tallest of the Bulldogs at 6-foot-5, received an uncharacteristic start to provide a better match-up with 6-9 Forks standout Marky Adams. He wound up limiting Adams to six points.

Forks 13 8 9 12 — 42 Montesano 5 19 10 18 — 52

Forks (42) — Schumack 7, Baysinger 2, Browning 21, Prose 3, Adams 6, Johnson, Tejano, Baar, Flores 3. FG — 17-58 (.293). FT — 6-13.

Montesano (52) — Ridgway 10, Chapman, Valley 16, Dierkop 8, Nicklas 4, Burbidge, Quinn 1, Winter 9, Farmer 4. FG — 16-46 (.349). FT — 14-18.