RAYMOND — Finishing off 2017 with a modest road trip turned out to be a favorable result for the Montesano boys on Friday evening.

At the Raymond New Year’s Classic, the Grizzlies returned home with a victory to cap the old year and build a bit of momentum entering the new one.

For the Montesano boys, a quick start was more than enough to establish a big halftime lead and a comfortable 66-30 win over host Raymond.

Stocked full of experience, Montesano hit the court running against a game, but shellshocked, Raymond squad.

In the first quarter alone, the Bulldogs nailed 6-for-9 3-point baskets and dominated the paint for a 29-7 lead over the Gulls.

“We’ve been starting very fast all year, especially with our intensity,” Montesano head coach Doug Galloway said. “Tonight, we wanted to come out, play fast, play intense and play and react. Overall, I’m pleased with how we played.”

From there, the pace of the contest was Montesano’s to control. With transition baskets and free throws off Raymond misses powering the offense, the Bulldogs never looked back for a 51-11 halftime margin.

With a 40-point lead at halftime, the entire second half was played on a mercy-rule running clock. As such, the intensity of the contest established in the first half was missing in the second half.

“They were more aggressive than we were (in the first half),” Raymond assistant coach Darol Ratsavongsy said. “We just didn’t take the pressure well and panicked. Second half, we came out better, shot better and played better.”

Seth Dierkop led all scorers with 14 points and eight rebounds for Montesano. Shaydon Farmer added 10 points and six rebounds. Cole Enslow led Raymond with nine points.

On January 4, Montesano (8-2 overall) enters Evergreen 1A League play at Tenino. At the same time, Raymond (5-6) visits Chief Leschi in Pacific 2B League play.

Montesano 29 22 13 2 — 66

Raymond 7 4 15 4 — 30

Montesano (66) — Johansson, Bates 5, Ridgway 6, Nicklas 2, Winter 11, Albert 7, Parker 1, Wyatt 3, Valley 7, Farmer 10, Dierkop 14, Iverson. FG — 25-56 (.446). FT — 9-17.

Raymond (30) — Phansisay 3, Thepsoumphou, Maden, Anderson 5, Enslow 9, Hubbard 6, Sida, Souvannavanh 3, Collins, Koski, Rockwell. FG — 11-46 (.239). FT — 6-12.

Bulldogs 76, Loggers 27

RAYMOND — Jumping out to a 22-0 lead after one quarter, Montesano walloped Darrington on the opening day of the Raymond Holiday Tournament on Thursday.

The tone was set early as the Bulldogs (7-2) led 45-7 at the half.

Tanner Nicklas and Seth Dierkop shared Bulldog scoring honors with 13 points apiece, with Nicklas garnering eight rebounds. Trevor Ridgway had eight rebounds and five steals. Sam Winter dished out five assists.

Montesano 22 23 20 11 — 76

Darrington 0 7 9 11 — 27

Montesano (76) — Johannsson, Bates 7, Ridgway 6, Nicklas 13, Winter 11, Albert 4, Parker 4, Wyatt 4, Valley 5, Farmer 7, Dierkop 13, Iverson 2. FG — 30-65 (.462). FT — 9-11.

Darrington (27) — Maltos 2, McConnaughy 9, Repua, Draper 6, Solomon 2, McMillion, Ticklequots 2, Miller 2, Jones, Smith 4. FG — 10-43 (.233). FT — 6-10.