YAKIMA — R.A. Long’s best boys basketball season in decades came to an end Saturday with a 72-46 loss to North Kitsap in the Class 2A state tournament third-place game.
R.A. Long earned fifth place, the program’s first state trophy since 1953.
Lumberjacks coach Jeray Key believes the program won’t have to wait nearly as long for its next trophy.
“Our goal is to get back here and we will be back here next year,” Key said. “We have the pieces to do it. This lights a fire under us coaches even more.”
One day after a narrow loss to No. 2 Lynden in the semifinals, No. 3 R.A. Long struggled to find its shot. The Lumberjacks shot 30.2% from the field and were 8 for 36 from 3-point range.
That spelled trouble against an opponent from Poulsbo that entered the tournament as the No. 1 seed.
Key thought his team had a bit of a post-semifinal letdown.
“You could tell,” he said. “We had our goal to win first. They didn’t get it and they were really disappointed. Being young kids, it’s tough to bounce back mentally.”
Even on a good day it would be tough to top North Kitsap (24-4), a team that scored 80 or more points in 13 games this season.
“At the end of the day, that’s a good team,” Key said. “There’s a reason they were number one all year.”
Aaron Ofstun led R.A. Long (21-4) with 16 points. Jamond Harris added 11 points.
In the fourth quarter, Key called a timeout so Ofstun, Harris and R.A. Long’s third senior Stephen Rooklidge could exit the game together.
“I wanted everyone to see them come off the court together one last time and get that standing ovation,” Key said. “Those three guys have put in so much work. It’s hard to put into words where those guys came from. They put us on the map.”
Key hopes his players will look at their time at the state tournament not simply in wins and losses.
“It’s just life lessons along the way,” he said. “It’s not just the basketball. It’s bigger things. We’re all still alive. It’s a great feeling and everyone wishes they could be in these moments. But one thing we’ve proved is that we belong here.”
NORTH KITSAP 72, R.A. LONG 46
R.A. LONG (21-4) – Aaron Ofstun 16, Cavin Holden 6, Stephen Rooklidge 4, Jamond Harris 11, Jaxon Cook 0, Lonnie Brown Jr. 6, Jake Gabbard 0, Shaun Mize 0, Aeybel Milian 0, Devon Harris 0, Payton Thrill 3, TreMayne Jenkins 0. Totals 19-63 (8-36) 0-5 46.
NORTH KITSAP (24-4) – Johny Olmstead 14, Aiden Olmstead 16, Jonas La Tour 22, Cade Orness 7, Harry Davies 8, Jay Ashford-Downing 0, Gray Hager 0, Colton Brewer 5, Noah Sorensen 0, Mason Chmielewski 0, Tanner Perkins 0, Ethan Gillespie 0. Totals 28-51 (7-15) 9-15 72
R.A. Long 9 10 18 9—46
North Kitsap 15 21 20 16—72
