KELSO — Despite a 31-point loss in Friday’s 2A District IV girls basketball title game, there’s a lot the Columbia River Rapids are taking away from a district title-game defeat.
What tops that list from the Rapids’ 59-28 loss to W.F. West? Senior Peyton Dukes explains.
“These games are so important,” she said, “and building our experience and making us better for harder games down the road … It’s a privilege to play in these types of games.”
For the second straight year, W.F. West out of Chehalis topped the Rapids to capture the district title at Kelso High School. By reaching the title game, both teams are guaranteed a Class 2A state berth in what’s expected to be a stacked state field. When seeding and matchups are announced Sunday, the Rapids hope their resume, which includes a 20-3 record and a top-10 RPI, earns them another top-8 seed.
River earned an 8-seed in 2024.
“I’m confident in our team that we can get a top-8 seed,” junior Gracie Glavin said.
W.F. West’s three-quarters press and trap near half court disrupted River’s flow. The Bearcats (23-1) limited River to five first-half field goals while racing out to a 38-12 halftime lead. It grew to 44-14 by the 3:50 mark of the third quarter.
“The aggression they had was pretty good,” Dukes said. “We haven’t faced that much of that type of defense this year. … We definitely prepared well in practice, but I think we could have come out better today.”
Added Glavin: “We prepared well, but they sped us up, and we didn’t play our game.”
And like so many opposing teams to face the Bearcats, River didn’t have an answer for 6-foot-3 senior standout Julia Dalan. The Portland signee had a game-high 32 points — 27 at the half — and five blocks. Her point total fell just shy of the tournament record.
Marley Myers and Avielle Desjarlais each had six points to lead River.
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WF WEST 59, COLUMBIA RIVER 28
WF WEST — Dilyn Boeck 10, Rhylee Beebe 3, Kaitlyn Chloupek 2, Grace Simpson 7, Amanda Bennett 5, Julia Dalan 32, Madi Baine 0, Hadley Hoffman 0, Ellie Clinton 0, Izzy Teeter 0, Madi McManus 0. Totals 22 (4) 5-8 59.
COLUMBIA RIVER — Olivia Carroll 2, Marley Myers 6, Peyton Dukes 2, Camryn Drake 5, Mikayla King 3, Braidee Goodwin 0, Kaya Mirtich 2, Avielle Desjarlais 6, Gracie Glavin 2. Totals 12 (3) 0-0 28.
