Monday,  February 10 , 2025

Linkedin Pinterest
News / Sports / Prep Sports

Prep Notebook: Columbia River girls basketball talent runs deep

Depth makes difference in key win over Woodland

By Columbian staff
Published: January 20, 2025, 5:07pm

On a deep Columbia River girls basketball team, the Rapids have embraced a competitive environment where playing time is always up for grabs.

The team’s depth is both a luxury and a tricky equation for coach Tee Anderson, who estimates as many as nine players could be starters.

The Rapids returned an experienced core group this season led by seniors Marley Myers, Camy Drake, Peyton Dukes, Charmayne Castro, Kaya Mirtich, Reese Dunning and junior Gracie Glavin, the team’s leading scorer. Then, sophomores Olivia Carroll and Avi Desjarlais transferred to River from Hudson’s Bay and incoming freshman Mikayla King joined the program to round out a talented, versatile roster that’s won each of the last two 2A Greater St. Helens League titles.

“If I could start literally nine girls, I would start nine girls,” Anderson said.

“It’s honestly pretty hard. But I really told the girls and I put a big emphasis (on) one through five is always open. I’m not set on my starters. So, if you want to show me in practice or you show me in a game that you deserve that spot, I will give you that spot. … And I think that’s really what drives the girls in practice is knowing that they have an opportunity.”

That depth was put to the test in a 42-41 win over Woodland Jan. 14 when the duo of Glavin and Myers combined to score 26 points, but both fouled out in the fourth quarter.

Anderson looked to her bench and found the right lineup to close with. Drake hit a go-ahead free throw and River’s defense held Woodland scoreless in the final minute, highlighted by a Carroll steal after Mirtich and Desjarlais denied an entry pass to Woodland’s star sophomore post Kennedy Bockert.

River added a 79-46 win over Washougal on Jan. 16, to improve to 8-0 in the 2A GSHL and keep hold of its first-place position. Four players reached double figures in scoring led by Glavin’s 20 points, plus contributions from King (16 points), Mirtich (12 points) and Drake (10 points).

“We run really deep,” Myers said. “I love our bench, we have a great set of players this year. Everyone can score and everyone helps out on defense. It’s really, really fun to see everybody improve so much.”

Camas boys sweep first round of 4A GSHL play

The Camas boys basketball team navigated the first round of league play in the 4A Greater St. Helens League 3-0.

But the Papermakers know there is still work to be done.

In a new twist, the teams in the 4A GSHL will play three rounds of league play this season.

That means even after beating Union, Skyview and Battle Ground to open league play, the Papermakers will face all those teams twice more before the end of the regular season.

“This is the first time we’ve had three league games (against each team) without a league tournament,” Camas coach Brian Witherspoon said. “We used to have two games (against each team) and then a league tournament back when I was at Evergreen. It’s always hard to beat a team for the third time. You would see some upsets.”

Round 2 of league play includes road games at Union on Wednesday and at Skyview on Friday.

“This first game really doesn’t mean much,” junior Ethan Harris said after beating Skyview on Tuesday. “Going into this game, we really didn’t know each other’s stuff. But now after this first game, we’re familiar. Going into that second game, that’s going to be at their place. That’s going to be an even harder game. That’s going to be nothing compared to this one.”

Witherspoon said: “We go one game at a time. There are some great coaches in this league. They’re going to be prepared. We have a target on our back now. Everybody wants to get to us. … We haven’t had a situation when someone has just run through the league undefeated. No one can go in expecting to do that. It’s going to be a grind-out series.”

Robertson earns 2nd state swim standard

Union’s Owen Robertson added another accomplishment in a stellar senior season on Saturday.

Robertson achieved the state qualifying standard in the 500 Freestyle at the Kelso Invitational. His time of 4 minutes, 49.06 seconds was nearly 20 seconds faster than anyone else.

Robertson also won the 50 freestyle and anchored Union’s winning 400 freestyle relay against teams from 18 other schools.

Saturday’s state standard is Robertson’s second of the season. He has already qualified in the 200 freestyle, in which he placed second in the 4A state meet last year.

Next batch of four-time wrestling champs?

The Norm Friehauf Clark County Championships were highlighted by two wrestlers who earned their fourth titles at the 54th annual tournament.

Stay informed on what is happening in Clark County, WA and beyond for only
$99/year

Noah Koyama of Union and Leah Wallway of Kelso each added to their high school wrestling legacies on Saturday at Heritage High School.

And there are other younger wrestlers waiting in the wings who could also become four-time champs after their triumphs on Saturday.

The Skyview sophomore twins Jonas and Mason DesRochers each earned their second Clark County titles, winning at 132 and 138 pounds, respectively. Both are chasing their second state championship and are ranked No. 1 in their weight classes in Class 4A.

A pair of Camas freshmen also won Clark County titles. Micah Bennett triumphed at 106 pounds and Arthur Jarrell won the 157-pound championship.

In the girls tournament, Union freshman Brook Bahr earned the title at 170-pounds by pinning all of her opponents.

Loading...