2A boys state basketball: Selah runs away from Columbia River in quarterfinals

YAKIMA — Little margin for error. Little time to recover.

Columbia River saw how quickly a good team can run away with a game in the quarterfinals of the Class 2A boys basketball state tournament. After staying close for one half, the Rapids were outgunned in the second half of a 74-49 loss to Selah on Thursday at the Yakima Valley SunDome.

“You get to the quarterfinals of the state tournament, it’s grown man basketball,” Columbia River coach Mark Ganter said. “Every team can play, and we found that out.”

Seeking its first state semifinal berth since 2009, the No. 11 seeded Rapids were within 32-28 late in the second quarter. But No. 5 seed Selah outscored Columbia River 24-8 in the third quarter.

Columbia River’s comeback hopes were stymied by cold shooting, including 1 for 21 from 3-point range.

Now the Rapids (20-6) hope to earn their first state trophy since 2018. To do so, they’ll need to win a loser-out game in the fourth-place semifinals at 9 a.m. Friday against top-seeded Lynden, which was upset by No. 10 Prosser 64-50 on Thursday.

“We still have games to play,” Ganter said. “Is it going to be early? Sure. But we can still get some hardware to take home and be proud.”

Luca Phillips led Columbia River with 18 points, going 9 for 12 from the field. John Reeder added 11 points.

Jackson Pepper scored 24 points, including two 3-pointers in Selah’s 17-6 run to open the second half. That gave the Vikings (21-4) a 54-34 lead over a Rapids team 24 hours removed from a hard-fought win in a loser-out game in the Round of 12.

“Some of our passing and cutting on offense was a little lazy,” Ganter said. “When you get to this point, you can’t do that.”

SELAH 74, COLUMBIA RIVER 49

COLUMBIA RIVER (20-6) — Alex Pont 9, Ari Richardson 2, Kellen Clary 1, Javen Fletch 4, Chase Fitzwilson 0, John Reeder 11, Tyler Miles 0, Joey Ianello 0, Luca Phillips 18, Aaron Hoey 4, Josh Paxton 0, Luke Potter 0. Totals 22 (1) 4-9.

SELAH (21-4) — Rylan Tilley 5, Jackson Pepper 26, William Depell 0, Oliver Pepper 10, Colton Shea 0, Beau Benjamin 15, Rowdy Mullins 0, Jackson Decker 0, Jaiden Alexander 4, Finnegan Tait 2, Carson Decker 3, Jonathan Wright 9. Totals 28 (9) 9-10.

Columbia River    11     17     8     13 — 49

Selah       24     11    24     15 — 74