With every take a look at the Columbia River boys basketball group passes, their perception grows stronger.
The widespread denominator over the Rapids’ final two video games, specifically, is their protection being put to the take a look at.
In opposition to Class 3A Prairie on Saturday on the Moda Middle in Portland, senior Ari Richardson made two late free throws, then stole the Falcons’ last inbounds move to safe a 63-61 win.
Then got here Tuesday’s undefeated 2A Larger St. Helens League conflict in opposition to R.A. Lengthy, a back-and-forth battle selected a Richardson go-ahead layup inside the ultimate minute and an Alex Pont steal that allowed River to dribble out the clock for a 56-55 win.
“I think we all believe in each other,” Richardson stated. “Even when it’s close, we all have faith in each other to make a play, make the right play, get a stop, get a board (or) get a bucket.”
On R.A. Lengthy’s last offensive possession, River’s Luca Phillips confronted a measurement mismatch in opposition to R.A. Lengthy 6-foot-9 put up Rhet Younger. Phillips caught to Younger like glue because the Lumberjacks lobbed the ball inside. Younger turned to face the basket and was stripped of the ball, ending up within the fingers of Pont.
Clutch performs like these are what the Rapids have come to anticipate.
“We just persevered,” Phillips stated. “Throughout the whole game, even if we’re down, we just need to catch it back up. We always get in that mentality, and we’re just used to bringing it back up.”
River’s newest win, mixed with Ridgefield’s 58-53 takedown of previously-undefeated Mark Morris, leaves the Rapids (5-0, 3-0) alone atop the 2A GSHL standings forward of Thursday’s showdown with the Monarchs in Longview.
The weeklong stretch is a gauntlet for the Rapids, however in response to coach Mart Ganter, it’s precisely what they wanted after opening the season with three straight blowout wins whereas scoring a mean of 85 factors per recreation.
“We knew this game was going to be an absolute dogfight,” Ganter stated.
River’s offense acquired on monitor throughout a 20-point second quarter with ball motion, off-ball screens and again cuts. John Reeder led the Rapids with 16 factors whereas Richardson and Phillips every chipped in 12 factors.
Richardson, in the meantime, despatched the Rapids to the fourth quarter with a 48-44 lead when he transformed a four-point play after getting pump faking a defender and drawing a foul on a 3-pointer.
Lower than per week faraway from scoring a college report 43 factors, which included 10 3-pointers, in a Dec. 12 win over Ridgefield, Richardson is off to a quick begin within the opening weeks of his senior season.
“It definitely boosts your confidence, but it just shows anyone on this team can score,” Richardson stated. “We still put up 92 points (against Ridgefield) even with my 43. We still put up 56 today even with people struggling. Anyone on our team, 13 guys, can get a bucket any time.”
Inside themselves and their teammates, the Rapids are exhibiting what the facility of believing can do for a group.
“We’re playing basketball — that’s all I can ask for,” Ganter stated. “They’re playing hard, they believe in each other, I believe in them, they believe in me, so that’s a good recipe.”
COLUMBIA RIVER 56, R.A. LONG 55
COLUMBIA RIVER — Alex Pont 2, Ari Richardson 12, John Reeder 16, Tyler Miles 2, Luca Phillips 12, Aaron Hoey 7, Josh Paxton 5. Totals 23 (5) 5-5 56.
R.A. Lengthy 13 16 15 11—55
Col. River 13 20 15 8—56