The Columbia River Rapids had their best finish in the boys basketball tournament since 2009, and the Camas Papermakers tied for their program’s best finish in state, taking sixth place
Paul Valencia
ClarkCountyToday.com
The Columbia River Rapids always believed they were one of the best teams in the state.
Now, they have the hardware to prove it.
The Camas Papermakers, meanwhile, always believed they had what it takes to compete among the best in the state. They, too, are bringing home receipts.
The Columbia River boys and Camas boys basketball teams played in trophy games Saturday, the final day of the high school basketball season in Washington.
Columbia River got the best of league-rival Mark Morris to claim fourth place in the Class 2A tournament in the Yakima Valley SunDome.
Camas ran out of steam, falling to Richland in the fourth-place game at the Tacoma Dome. Instead, Camas tied the program’s best finish at state with a sixth-place trophy.
Class 2A boys
No. 11 Columbia River 78, No. 8 Mark Morris 59: There was more than the fourth-place trophy at stake Saturday. Pride was on the line.
The Rapids lost to Mark Morris twice in the regular season. In fact, the 2A Greater St. Helens League was simply loaded this year. The top three teams finished in the top six at in the state tournament.
But until Saturday, Columbia River was the third-place team in the 2A GSHL mix.
Quite simply, Mark Morris had Columbia River’s number. Well, until the final the final day of the season.
Ari Richardson made four 3-pointers and led five Rapids in double figures, scoring 21 points to lead Columbia River to the victory. Richardson also had five rebounds, three assists, and four steals.
The Rapids had one of their best shooting games of the season, connecting on 65 percent of their shots in the first half to jump out to a 13-point lead. They stayed hot in the second half, too, and finished the game at 61 percent from the floor.
Total domination.
John Reeder, Luca Phillips, Aaron Hoey, and Alex Pont all scored 12 points for the Rapids.
Passing was contagious for the Rapids, too. Reeder recorded six assists, and Hoey added four dimes.
Dalton Stevens had the hot hand for Mark Morris, going 12 for 18 for his 27 points. Columbia River’s defense, though, was on point, holding the rest of the Monarchs to 11 for 39 from the floor.
Phillips had three blocked shots and Hoey had two blocked shots for the River defense.
Columbia River finished the season 22-6, winning nine of their last 11 games to finish fourth in state. It is the program’s first trophy at state since 2018 and best finish since second place in 2009.
Class 4A boys
No. 4 Richland 74, No. 5 Camas 67: These two teams matched up in the Opening Round of the state tournament one week earlier. Then they were put on opposite ends of the bracket, only to find themselves against each other again.
This time, it was Richland’s day.
The Bombers jumped out to a 10-point lead at the half, quickly pushed the advantage to 16 early in the third quarter, then held off a Camas rally to earn the fourth-place trophy.
Camas, with its win over Richland in the Opening Round, reached the state quarterfinals. After a tough, two-point overtime loss in that one, the Papermakers responded with a victory Friday in the consolation bracket, ensuring a trophy game.
Camas comes home with the sixth-place trophy, tying the program’s best finish. The Papermakers also finished sixth in 2023.
Jace VanVoorhis had a memorable performance in his final high school game. The Camas senior went 8 for 13 from the floor for 18 points. He also recorded five assists.
Ethan Harris, the Class 4A Greater St. Helens League player of the year, also scored 18 points for the Papermakers. He added five rebounds and three blocked shots.
Channing Nesland was 3 for 4 from 3-point range and scored 15 points for the Papermakers. Cade Washington had 11 points and five rebounds.
Landon Northrop led Richland with 23 points.
Camas had two postseason rematches this season. Auburn defeated Camas in the bi-district championship game two weeks ago. The Papermakers returned the favor, beating Auburn on Friday to make it to the trophy game.
Then Saturday morning’s game gave Richland a chance to get back at Camas from the Opening Round matchup.
This was the third consecutive trip to state for the Papermakers, who finished this season with a 23-6 record and a 4A GSHL championship.
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