YAKIMA — Following an emotional win Friday to keep its season alive, the Columbia River boys basketball team wanted the last game of the season just as badly.
The Rapids’ source of motivation on Saturday, in addition to a fourth-place state trophy up for grabs, came from 2A Greater St. Helens League foe Mark Morris, which twice defeated the Rapids in the regular season.
Given a third opportunity against the Monarchs in the Class 2A state fourth-place game at Yakima SunDome, the Rapids didn’t leave anything to chance in a 78-59 win.
River (22-6) set a new high in points scored in four games this week with five players reaching double figures, led by senior Ari Richardson’s 21 points.
By securing a fourth-place trophy, the program had its highest finish at state since 2009 when River finished second in the 3A boys bracket.
“Amazing,” Richardson said in describing River’s season-ending win. “Especially to close it out versus Morris, a team I think I’ve beat maybe twice my whole high school career, so it was fun and incredible. Only three teams get to end their season on a win, so it was good to be one of them.”
A team known for its masterful comebacks, Mark Morris (22-7) found itself in familiar territory when it trailed River 16-14 after one quarter. But the closing minutes of the second and third quarters were paramount for the Rapids to separate themselves from the Monarchs.
The Rapids rained in 3-pointers from Alex Pont, John Reeder and Josh Paxton, then saw Ari Richardson convert a four-point play to close the first half, giving the Rapids a 38-25 lead.
The Monarchs’ inevitable charge came on a 7-0 run to start the third led by scores Carson Bogner, Dalton Stevens and Nathan Stephens.
But the Rapids closed the final minute of the quarter at a breakneck pace, with Richardson scoring seven points in 15 seconds. River took a 60-50 lead to the fourth and held the Monarchs to 11 points in the final quarter.
“It gave us a lot of momentum, actually, so it was really good,” junior Alex Pont said.
Pont, Reeder, Aaron Hoey and Luca Phillips each scored 12 points to round out a balanced attack. Pont’s effort helped the Rapids outscore the Monarchs 21-3 in bench points.
“They’ve been doing it all year,” Richardson said. “They didn’t play every minute of every game, (but) they always stay ready. It’s been great to have them this whole season.”
Led by seniors Richardson, Hoey, Reeder, Tyler Miles and Javen Fletch, the Rapids made certain their second trip to Yakima in as many years was worthwhile.
Wins over Lakewood, Lynden and lastly, Mark Morris, mean the Rapids are returning home with hardware, and a senior class finishing what it started four years ago, leaving the program in a good place.
“The senior class — Ari, John and Aaron are four-year lettermen — and my message to them was, go out on top. Leave something for the rest of the guys to achieve and strive for,” Columbia River coach Mark Ganter said. “They accepted that challenge.”
COLUMBIA RIVER 78, MARK MORRIS 59
COLUMBIA RIVER (22-6) — Alex Pont 12, Ari Richardson 21, Kellen Clary 4, John Reeder 12, Tyler Miles 0, Joey Ianello 0, Luca Phillips 12, Aaron Hoey 12, Josh Paxton 5, Luke Potter 0. Totals 31 (10) 6-7 78.
MARK MORRIS (22-7) — Dalton Stevens 27, Drew Ibarreta 8, Tate Armstrong 0, Zane Armstrong 0, Evan Peters 0, Nathan Stephens 9, Mark Hendrickson 0, Jadyn Brooks 5, Carson Bogner 7, Zander Jendro 0, Carter Huhta 0, Mac West 0. Totals 23 (4) 9-15 59.
CR 16 22 20 20—78
MM 14 11 23 11—59
