YAKIMA — Survive and advance.
An oft-repeated phrase in March basketball served as an accurate description of Columbia River’s 60-56 win over Lakewood in a Class 2A boys basketball state Round of 12 game on Wednesday at the Yakima SunDome.
The Rapids weathered multiple runs by a sharp-shooting Cougars team that hit nine 3-pointers, and fought through a four-minute stretch of the fourth quarter without making a field goal to reach the 2A state quarterfinals. The No. 11 seed Rapids (20-5) will face No. 5 Selah on Thursday at 9 a.m.
“We’ve been down (in games) all season,” River senior Ari Richardson said. “I think it’s great (playing in) such a good league — Ridgefield, (Mark) Morris, (R.A.) Long — prepare us for games like these. We’ve played a bunch of close games this season … so we’ve been in this situation before. We knew we were going to get a bucket eventually.”
Aaron Hoey hit a go-ahead 3-pointer, before Richardson forced a steal and scored a fastbreak layup to give the Rapids a four-point cushion with two minutes left.
Richardson, who led the Rapids with 22 points, six rebounds and seven steals, gave River a two-possession lead to ice the game after making two free throws with six seconds left. Fellow seniors Hoey added 18 points and John Reeder chipped in eight points.
The Rapids accomplished their mission of getting through the loser-out Round of 12 after falling to Anacortes on the same stage last season. Now, the team and its five seniors are guaranteed at least two more games in Yakima.
“It just feels so good, because the season is so long and you finally make it,” Hoey said. “Last year … we lost in that game. Winning it this year just meant to much.”
COLUMBIA RIVER 60, LAKEWOOD 56
COLUMBIA RIVER (20-5) — Alex Pont 6, Ari Richardson 22, Javen Fletch 2, John Reeder 8, Tyler Miles 0, Luca Phillips 4, Aaron Hoey 18. Totals 22 (5) 11-12 60.
LAKEWOOD (18-8) — Porter Espe 0, Quinton Steen 17, JJ Hoekendorf 4, Nash Espe 6, Evan Stacey 5, Derek Willson 5, Drew Egger 0, Caleb Greenland 19. Totals 21 (9) 5-9 56.
Col. River 19 10 6 10—60
Lakewood 9 19 13 15—56
