With each test the Columbia River boys basketball team passes, their belief grows stronger.
The common denominator over the Rapids’ last two games, in particular, is their defense being put to the test.
Against Class 3A Prairie on Saturday at the Moda Center in Portland, senior Ari Richardson made two late free throws, then stole the Falcons’ final inbounds pass to secure a 63-61 win.
Then came Tuesday’s undefeated 2A Greater St. Helens League clash against R.A. Long, a back-and-forth battle decided on a Richardson go-ahead layup inside the final 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 said. “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. Long’s final offensive possession, River’s Luca Phillips faced a size mismatch against R.A. Long 6-foot-9 post Rhet Young. Phillips stuck to Young like glue as the Lumberjacks lobbed the ball inside. Young turned to face the basket and was stripped of the ball, ending up in the hands of Pont.
Clutch plays like these are what the Rapids have come to expect.
“We just persevered,” Phillips said. “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 latest win, combined with Ridgefield’s 58-53 takedown of previously-undefeated Mark Morris, leaves the Rapids (5-0, 3-0) alone atop the 2A GSHL standings ahead of Thursday’s showdown with the Monarchs in Longview.
The weeklong stretch is a gauntlet for the Rapids, but according to coach Mart Ganter, it’s exactly what they needed after opening the season with three straight blowout wins while scoring an average of 85 points per game.
“We knew this game was going to be an absolute dogfight,” Ganter said.
Ganter, too, sung the praises of a Rapids defense that did their part to slow Young (16 points) and limit the Lumberjacks to five 3-pointers made. R.A. Long (5-1, 2-1) also got 12 points from Joshua Crane while Landon Irwin and Cam Newsome added 10 points apiece.
River’s offense got on track during a 20-point second quarter with ball movement, off-ball screens and back cuts. John Reeder led the Rapids with 16 points while Richardson and Phillips each chipped in 12 points.
Richardson, meanwhile, sent the Rapids to the fourth quarter with a 48-44 lead when he converted a four-point play after getting pump faking a defender and drawing a foul on a 3-pointer.
Less than a week removed from scoring a school record 43 points, which included 10 3-pointers, in a Dec. 12 win over Ridgefield, Richardson is off to a fast start in the opening weeks of his senior season.
“It definitely boosts your confidence, but it just shows anyone on this team can score,” Richardson said. “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.”
Within themselves and their teammates, the Rapids are showing what the power of believing can do for a team.
“We’re playing basketball — that’s all I can ask for,” Ganter said. “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
R.A. LONG — Payton Thill 3, Cameron Newsome 10, Jeffrey Rooklidge 0, TraMayne Jenkins 4, Joshua Crane 12, Landon Irwin 10, Rhet Young 16. Totals 21 (5) 8-10 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. Long 13 16 15 11—55
Col. River 13 20 15 8—56
