LONGVIEW — In case anybody forgot how harmful the Columbia River boys basketball workforce could be, the Rapids offered a convincing reminder in Saturday’s Class 2A state opening spherical sport.
Fueled by what they felt was a decrease seed than their statewide standing all through the season, the N0. 11 seed Rapids (19-5) rolled to a 94-63 win over No. 14 Renton at Mark Morris Excessive College and returned to the Spherical of 12 at Yakima Valley SunDome for a second straight yr. River will face the loser of Lakewood and Bremerton on Wednesday at 9 a.m.
“We know we’re one of the best teams in the state,” stated Columbia River senior John Reeder, who scored 17 factors. “We don’t think we should’ve been ranked this low. We (knew) if we go there, we could prove it and we could have a chance to win it all.”
Reeder helped River bounce out to a 23-12 lead, scoring eight factors by way of a excessive tempo opening quarter that noticed the Rapids firing on all cylinders.
Their sizzling begin was by no means cooled off. With River’s protection holding Renton to 26 first-half factors, the Rapids performed quick and free on offense.
“I kind of figured that this (game) was going to be like that,” River coach Mark Ganter stated. “We’ve been practicing hard all week. The message has been clear — that we are a good team — and we just got to go show it.”
They prolonged a 42-26 halftime lead with a 10-0 run halfway by way of the third on 3-pointers from Aaron Hoey, Ari Richardson, plus baskets from Luca Phillips and Javen Fletch stated.
“I think it’s what we’re capable of every game, so it’s just good to have everybody click,” Fletch stated. “Everybody played their part.”
5 gamers reached double figures led by Hoey’s 24 factors, with Richardson including 12 factors, Alex Pont scoring 11 factors and Fletch scoring 10 factors.
“I really think that’s kind of our game … just getting up and down and running the floor,” Reeder stated. “When we can do that and we have a team that can’t stay in front of us, there’s nothing anyone can do about us.”
The Rapids welcomed again Fletch into the fold Saturday after the senior missed the workforce’s winner-to-state sport in opposition to W.F. West Feb. 20 with an ankle harm. With the Rapids’ season on the road, Fletch had little doubt he would play in opposition to Renton. He offered the lockdown protection and power the Rapids have come to anticipate from the senior, who transferred from Skyview to River this yr.
“(His) defense, he’s the talker, he gets everybody talking, which we need,” Ganter stated. “It’s been great having him here.”
Whereas Fletch was a part of Skyview’s 4A state match run final yr on the Tacoma Dome, the Rapids return loads of veteran expertise from their 2024 journey to the Yakima Valley SunDome that led to a Spherical of 12 loss to Anacortes.
“We came together this year with one goal, and especially coming here (to River), these guys welcomed me,” Fletch stated. “So, it’s just good for everything to click now.”
Led by seniors Hoey, Reeder, Richardson, Tyler Miles, and now, Fletch, the Rapids know precisely what to anticipate this time round.
“We’ve got guys like me, Ari, Aaron (who) have been on varsity all four years,” Reeder stated. “We’ve got Javen coming from a school that just placed top eight in 4A. So, bringing that experience in with the guys playing all that time on varsity, it’s just a great group of guys that, really, are just ready for anything.”
COLUMBIA RIVER 94, RENTON 63
RENTON (7-16) — Jordan Agosto 26, Landon Saephan 0, Isaac Elegan 14, Nate Omar 8, James Pattenaude 0, Juice White-Kelley 3, Messiah Piper 4, Anthony Porter 3, Jalen Taylor 3, Nick Jarvis 0, Jay Jay Saechao 2. Totals 23 (6) 11-15 63.
COLUMBIA RIVER (19-5) — Alex Pont 11, Ari Richardson 12, Kellen Clary 8, Javen Fletch 10, Chase Fitzwilson 0, John Reeder 17, Tyer Miles 1, Joey Ianello 2, Luca Phillips 9, Aaron Hoey 24, Josh Paxton 0. Totals 37 (10) 10-18 94.
Renton 12 14 14 23—63
Col. River 23 19 24 28—94