ELLENSBURG — The Columbia River boys basketball team gave one of the best 2A teams in the state a run for its money, but the Chieftains just ran out of shots.
Selah got 70 of its 75 points from three players, as the Vikings held off River 75-69 down the stretch in a winner-to-quarterfinal 2A regional game.
Columbia River (19-5) will play Fife at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday in a loser-out game at the 2A state tournament in Yakima.
“If you look at the score by quarters, they were up 20-12 in the first quarter,but after that it was even,” River coach David Long said. “We got some good looks in the first quarter. We just couldn’t get some shots to fall. We played a good basketball game. Selah is a good team. They have some Division-I kids, and we were right there. It’s just too bad we didn’t hit some open shots early.”
The turning point came late in the second quarter when River drew up a play for Mason Waite.
“We drew up a play for Mason for an open 3 in the corner,” Long said. “It looked good the whole way. It was in; it just didn’t stay in. … We got the shot we wanted by the kid we wanted. He drilled it, but it didn’t stay in.”
To compound matter, Selah rebounded the missed 3-pointer and hit a halfcourt shot at the buzzer.
“That’s six-point swing right there,” Long said. “Instead of being down three at the half, we’re down nine.”
River kept close by making 12 3-pointers. The 12th got the Chieftains within 70-67 with 42 seconds left. But the Vikings sealed the victory from the free throw line.
“We just needed one more stop and a bucket right there, but we couldn’t get it,” Long said. “We outscored them in the second half. But every time we got close, they always came up with a big shot. They responded every time we challenged them.”
Zak Donato had 24 for Selah, while Noah Pepper and Elijah Pepper added 23 points each for Selah.
Caden Dezort hit five 3-pointers and scored 17 points for River. Evan Dirksen added 16.
Long said Saturday’s effort gives the Chieftains confidence as they head to Yakima.
“It came down to shooting, and those kids from Selah can really shoot,” Long said. “I’m proud of how we played. We just missed some shots that we don’t typically miss, and it cost us.”
SELAH 75, COLUMBIA RIVER 69
COLUMBIA RIVER (19-5) — Nate Snook 4, Waite 0, Jacob Hjort 11, Evan Dirksen 16, Caden Dezort 17, Kiran Brar 3, Jack Armstrong 12, Nasseen Gutierrez 6. Totals 26 (12) 5-9 69.
SELAH (22-1) — Calvin Herting 3, Zak Donato 24, Keegan Morford 2, Noah Pepper 23, Elijah Pepper 23. Totals 29 (9) 8-9 75.
