On a deep Columbia River women basketball group, the Rapids have embraced a aggressive surroundings the place enjoying time is at all times up for grabs.
The group’s depth is each a luxurious and a tough equation for coach Tee Anderson, who estimates as many as 9 gamers may very well be starters.
The Rapids returned an skilled core group this season led by seniors Marley Myers, Camy Drake, Peyton Dukes, Charmayne Castro, Kaya Mirtich, Reese Dunning and junior Gracie Glavin, the group’s main scorer. Then, sophomores Olivia Carroll and Avi Desjarlais transferred to River from Hudson’s Bay and incoming freshman Mikayla King joined this system to spherical out a proficient, versatile roster that’s gained every of the final two 2A Larger St. Helens League titles.
“If I could start literally nine girls, I would start nine girls,” Anderson mentioned.
“It’s honestly pretty hard. But I really told the girls and I put a big emphasis (on) one through five is always open. I’m not set on my starters. So, if you want to show me in practice or you show me in a game that you deserve that spot, I will give you that spot. … And I think that’s really what drives the girls in practice is knowing that they have an opportunity.”
That depth was put to the take a look at in a 42-41 win over Woodland Jan. 14 when the duo of Glavin and Myers mixed to attain 26 factors, however each fouled out within the fourth quarter.
Anderson regarded to her bench and located the correct lineup to shut with. Drake hit a go-ahead free throw and River’s protection held Woodland scoreless within the last minute, highlighted by a Carroll steal after Mirtich and Desjarlais denied an entry move to Woodland’s star sophomore publish Kennedy Bockert.
River added a 79-46 win over Washougal on Jan. 16, to enhance to 8-0 within the 2A GSHL and preserve maintain of its first-place place. 4 gamers reached double figures in scoring led by Glavin’s 20 factors, plus contributions from King (16 factors), Mirtich (12 factors) and Drake (10 factors).
“We run really deep,” Myers mentioned. “I love our bench, we have a great set of players this year. Everyone can score and everyone helps out on defense. It’s really, really fun to see everybody improve so much.”
Camas boys sweep first spherical of 4A GSHL play
The Camas boys basketball group navigated the primary spherical of league play within the 4A Larger St. Helens League 3-0.
However the Papermakers know there’s nonetheless work to be carried out.
In a brand new twist, the groups within the 4A GSHL will play three rounds of league play this season.
Meaning even after beating Union, Skyview and Battle Floor to open league play, the Papermakers will face all these groups twice extra earlier than the top of the common season.
“This is the first time we’ve had three league games (against each team) without a league tournament,” Camas coach Brian Witherspoon mentioned. “We used to have two games (against each team) and then a league tournament back when I was at Evergreen. It’s always hard to beat a team for the third time. You would see some upsets.”
Spherical 2 of league play contains street video games at Union on Wednesday and at Skyview on Friday.
“This first game really doesn’t mean much,” junior Ethan Harris mentioned after beating Skyview on Tuesday. “Going into this game, we really didn’t know each other’s stuff. But now after this first game, we’re familiar. Going into that second game, that’s going to be at their place. That’s going to be an even harder game. That’s going to be nothing compared to this one.”
Witherspoon mentioned: “We go one game at a time. There are some great coaches in this league. They’re going to be prepared. We have a target on our back now. Everybody wants to get to us. … We haven’t had a situation when someone has just run through the league undefeated. No one can go in expecting to do that. It’s going to be a grind-out series.”
Robertson earns 2nd state swim customary
Union’s Owen Robertson added one other accomplishment in a stellar senior season on Saturday.
Robertson achieved the state qualifying customary within the 500 Freestyle on the Kelso Invitational. His time of 4 minutes, 49.06 seconds was almost 20 seconds quicker than anybody else.
Robertson additionally gained the 50 freestyle and anchored Union’s successful 400 freestyle relay towards groups from 18 different faculties.
Saturday’s state customary is Robertson’s second of the season. He has already certified within the 200 freestyle, during which he positioned second within the 4A state meet final yr.
Subsequent batch of four-time wrestling champs?
The Norm Friehauf Clark County Championships had been highlighted by two wrestlers who earned their fourth titles on the 54th annual match.
Noah Koyama of Union and Leah Wallway of Kelso every added to their highschool wrestling legacies on Saturday at Heritage Excessive Faculty.
And there are different youthful wrestlers ready within the wings who may additionally turn into four-time champs after their triumphs on Saturday.
The Skyview sophomore twins Jonas and Mason DesRochers every earned their second Clark County titles, successful at 132 and 138 kilos, respectively. Each are chasing their second state championship and are ranked No. 1 of their weight lessons in Class 4A.
A pair of Camas freshmen additionally gained Clark County titles. Micah Bennett triumphed at 106 kilos and Arthur Jarrell gained the 157-pound championship.
Within the women match, Union freshman Brook Bahr earned the title at 170-pounds by pinning all of her opponents.