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Stories by Will Denner

Columbian staff reporter

R.A. Long players surround Robert Coughlin-Wilson (9) after the senior hit a walk-off RBI single to down Ridgefield 5-4 in a Class 2A District 4 winner-to-state baseball game on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Ridgefield Outdoor Recreation Complex.

2A district baseball: R.A. Long rallies for 5-4, walk-off win over Ridgefield to clinch state berthvideo icon

R.A. Long players surround Robert Coughlin-Wilson (9) after the senior hit a walk-off RBI single to down Ridgefield 5-4 in a Class 2A District 4 winner-to-state baseball game on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Ridgefield Outdoor Recreation Complex.

May 17, 2025, 7:25pm Prep Sports

The memory of being on the wrong side of a walk-off, winner-to-state game last year was still fresh for R.A. Long baseball players and coaches. As of Saturday, the Lumberjacks can now push that memory to the side with a much better one to take its place. R.A. Read story

Hockinson's Chase Bonife (6) turns to throw to first base after getting an out against Aberdeen's Gabe Matthews, right, during a Class 2A District 4 winner-to-state baseball game on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Ridgefield Outdoor Recreation Complex.

2A district baseball: Hockinson falls to Aberdeen 4-1 in winner-to-state game

Hockinson's Chase Bonife (6) turns to throw to first base after getting an out against Aberdeen's Gabe Matthews, right, during a Class 2A District 4 winner-to-state baseball game on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Ridgefield Outdoor Recreation Complex.

May 17, 2025, 1:41pm Prep Sports

A second-half surge that pushed Hockinson into the Class 2A District 4 playoffs came to an end at the hands of Aberdeen on Saturday. After the Hawks struck first with a Noah Tadema sacrifice fly to score Tyler Fehrer in the first inning, their bats went quiet in… Read story

The Columbia River boys soccer team celebrate their fourth straight 2A District title Thursday, May 15, 2025, after River’s 3-0 win against W.F. West at Columbia River High School.

2A boys soccer: Columbia River’s relentless play wears down W.F. West for fourth straight district championshipvideo icon

The Columbia River boys soccer team celebrate their fourth straight 2A District title Thursday, May 15, 2025, after River’s 3-0 win against W.F. West at Columbia River High School.

May 15, 2025, 10:10pm Prep Sports

The season-long challenge for the Columbia River boys soccer team is to play at a consistent level over the course of an 80-minute game. Though the Rapids have struggled, on occasion, to stay true to their 80-plus-minute motto, they left no doubt about playing to that level in Thursday’s Class… Read story

Tumwater and Hockinson baseball players and coaches line up prior to the start of a Class 2A District 4 semifinal game on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Ridgefield Outdoor Recreation Complex.

2A district baseball: Tumwater cools Hockinson’s hot streak in 11-1 semifinal defeat

Tumwater and Hockinson baseball players and coaches line up prior to the start of a Class 2A District 4 semifinal game on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Ridgefield Outdoor Recreation Complex.

May 14, 2025, 10:30pm Prep Sports

Despite a humbling defeat Wednesday in the Class 2A District 4 semifinals, nothing has changed for the Hockinson baseball team. That’s because, after an 0-10 start to the 2025 season, the Hawks remain in the hunt for a 2A state playoff berth heading into a winner-to-state game Saturday… Read story

Sawyer Clifton of Camas delivers a pitch against Battle Ground during a 4A GSHL baseball game on Monday, April 14, 2025, at Battle Ground High School.

Sawyer Clifton’s one-hit, complete-game effort leads Camas past Curtis to clinch 4A state baseball berthvideo icon

Sawyer Clifton of Camas delivers a pitch against Battle Ground during a 4A GSHL baseball game on Monday, April 14, 2025, at Battle Ground High School.

May 13, 2025, 7:53pm Prep Sports

Playoff baseball games are often decided by thin margins. Few teams are more well-versed in those situations than the Camas Papermakers. Camas clinched its fifth consecutive Class 4A state playoff berth with a 3-1 win over Curtis to open the 4A bi-district playoffs at home Tuesday. Backed by… Read story

Akeem Archer (14) of Union celebrates after scoring a goal against Sumner during a 4A boys soccer bi-district quarterfinal match at Union High School in Vancouver on Saturday, May 10, 2025.

Prep notebook: Union boys soccer just keeps getting better

Akeem Archer (14) of Union celebrates after scoring a goal against Sumner during a 4A boys soccer bi-district quarterfinal match at Union High School in Vancouver on Saturday, May 10, 2025.

May 13, 2025, 7:05am Prep Sports

At the start of the season, Union boys soccer coach Jason Moore told his players he would never lie to them. Read story

Columbia River's Luke Jenisch (2) yells to the Rapids' dugout after getting a base hit against R.A. Long during a 2A Greater St. Helens League baseball game on Friday, May 9, 2025, at Columbia River High School.

Columbia River pulls off dramatic 5-4 win over R.A. Long to clinch 2A GSHL baseball titlevideo icon

Columbia River's Luke Jenisch (2) yells to the Rapids' dugout after getting a base hit against R.A. Long during a 2A Greater St. Helens League baseball game on Friday, May 9, 2025, at Columbia River High School.

May 9, 2025, 9:42pm Prep Sports

At the end of a challenging week for the Columbia River baseball team, the Rapids never stopped competing. Twice facing a two-run deficit against R.A. Long in a winner-take-all game to decide the 2A Greater St. Helens League title Friday, the Rapids responded in both instances to force a tie… Read story

Camas coach Brian Witherspoon talks to his team during a timeout in the second half of Thursday's 4A boys quarterfinal game against Glacier Peak. Glacier Peak won in overtime, 44-42.

Camas hires Brian Witherspoon as head coach of Papermakers’ girls basketball program

Camas coach Brian Witherspoon talks to his team during a timeout in the second half of Thursday's 4A boys quarterfinal game against Glacier Peak. Glacier Peak won in overtime, 44-42.

May 8, 2025, 2:42pm Prep Sports

Camas High School is turning to a familiar face to lead its girls basketball program. Brian Witherspoon, who served as interim head coach of the Camas boys team during the 2024-25 season, was hired as the Papermakers’ girls basketball head coach, athletic director Stephen Baranowski confirmed Thursday. Witherspoon is trading… Read story

Mountain View's Alyssa Rigby hits an approach shot onto the 11th hole green during the Class 3A district girls golf tournament on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at Three Rivers Golf Course in Kelso.

Mountain View freshman Alyssa Rigby wins Class 3A district girls golf title in postseason debutvideo icon

Mountain View's Alyssa Rigby hits an approach shot onto the 11th hole green during the Class 3A district girls golf tournament on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at Three Rivers Golf Course in Kelso.

May 7, 2025, 9:09pm Prep Sports

Mountain View freshman Alyssa Rigby has been patiently waiting her turn to don the blue, green and white of the Thunder. After watching older brother Alex Rigby put together a decorated career on the Mountain View boys golf team, capped off with a Class 3A team state… Read story

Union players swarm Union senior Canaan Moore (6) after Moore scored a goal in overtime Tuesday, May 6, 2025, during Union’s 3-2 win against Skyview at Skyview High School.

Canaan Moore’s game-winning overtime goal lifts Union to 4A GSHL boys soccer titlevideo icon

Union players swarm Union senior Canaan Moore (6) after Moore scored a goal in overtime Tuesday, May 6, 2025, during Union’s 3-2 win against Skyview at Skyview High School.

May 6, 2025, 10:58pm Prep Sports

In their pursuit of a 4A Greater St. Helens League boys soccer title, the Union Titans approached each of their final five regular season games as if they were in the playoffs. The Titans leaned into that mindset during several high-pressure moments Tuesday against Skyview and found a way to… Read story