Rich Skillman’s field goal midway through the fourth quarter pushed Nooksack Valley ahead to stay, and brother Dan Skillman scored a game-high 13 points as the Pioneers held off Forks 41-36 on Wednesday in the Class 2A boys state tournament.

Trailing 31-29 entering the fourth quarter, the Pioneers reeled off eight straight points for a 37-31 lead. Forks never got closer than three points.

Nooksack Valley (19-7) started cold, making just 8 of 22 shots (36.4 percent) of its shots in the first half, but caught fire after intermission, connecting on 8 of 13 (61.5 percent). Dan Skillman had eight of his points in the second half.

Jordan Justus led Forks (19-5) with 11 points, including three 3-pointers.

The Spartans led by seven, 12-5, early in the game that featured five lead changes and three ties.

Nooksack Valley -- D. Skillman 4-5 4-4 13, R. Skillman 2-7 0-0 4, Handy 3-9 2-2 8, Van Dyken 0-0 0-0 0, O’Day 1-2 1-2 3, Mitchell 3-6 1-1 7, Hobbs 3-6 0-0 6. Totals 16-35 8-9 41.
Forks -- Justus 3-8 2-2 11, Hurn 2-4 0-0 6, Daniels 1-4 1-2 3, Zellar 3-4 0-0 6, Huggins 2-8 2-2 6, Silcox 2-2 0-0 4, Echeita 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 13-30 5-6 36.
Nooksack Valley	12	9	8	12	--	41
Forks	5	11	15	7	--	36
3-point goals--NV 1-2 (D. Skillman 1-1, R. Skillman 0-1), F 5-11 (Justus 3-8, Hurn 2-3). Rebounds--NV 21 (Hobbs 4), F 16 (Huggins 5). Assists--NV 7 (D. Skillman 4), F 6 (Justus 3). Steals--NV 9 (D. Skillman 4), F 5. Blocked shots--NV 1, F 0. Fouled out--Hurn. Total fouls--NV 10, F 14. Technical fouls--None. Turnovers--NV 10, F 12.