Round of 12 games are Wednesday with the state quarterfinals scheduled for Thursday

Paul Valencia
ClarkCountyToday.com

We already know that one Clark County basketball team is playing in the state quarterfinals.

The Camas girls basketball team advanced directly to the elite eight with their win in the state regionals over the weekend.

Seven other Clark County teams are still hoping to make the quarterfinals. They play Wednesday.

And we know for certain that at least one team will also make the quarterfinals.

Because two schools with an incredible recent history in athletics are facing each other in an elimination game Wednesday.

One could argue that Columbia River vs. Ridgefield in girls teams sports is the best sports rivalry in Clark County high schools these days. For years, the two schools have battled each other for supremacy in volleyball and girls soccer in the fall. 

The Columbia River Rapids have won the past three state volleyball championships, all with wins over Ridgefield in the finals The previous two tournaments, Ridgefield won it all.

In girls soccer, Ridgefield claimed the state title this past fall, beating Columbia River in the semifinals en route to the championship. In 2022, it was River soccer that won the state championship

The rivalry will continue Wednesday, but in girls basketball.

It’s No. 9 Ridgefield vs. No. 8 Columbia River in the round of 12 at the Class 2A girls basketball state tournament in the Yakima Valley SunDome.

Columbia River won the 2A Greater St. Helens League title by a game over Ridgefield. The Rapids won both meetings with the Spudders in the regular season.

Now, they are playing in the state tournament. Game time is 2 p.m. Wednesday.

The winner advances to the state quarterfinals on Thursday. Also, the winner is assured of playing at least until Friday. Once a team reaches the elite eight, it is a double-elimination format to get to trophy Saturday.

This is Columbia River’s eighth trip to state in program history, according to WIAA archives. It has been 32 years since the program earned a trophy at state.

This is Ridgefield’s 18th trip to state but first since 2007. The Spudders have not placed at state since 1989.

Other Wednesday games featuring Clark County teams:

Class 4A Boys:

No. 11 Skyview vs. No. 6 Federal Way at 3:45 p.m. Wednesday in the Tacoma Dome. Elimination game. The winner will advance to the quarterfinals against No. 5 Davis on Thursday. This is the third trip to the state tournament for the Storm. They placed sixth in 2018.

No. 13 Camas vs. No. 4 Glacier Peak at 7:15 p.m. Wednesday in the Tacoma Dome. Elimination game. The winner will advance to the quarterfinals against No. 3 Gonzaga Prep on Thursday. This is Camas’ seventh trip to state. The Papermakers placed sixth last year. 

Class 2A Boys:

No. 12 Columbia River vs. No. 5 Anacortes at 7:15 p.m. Wednesday in the Yakima Valley SunDome. Elimination game. The winner will advance to the quarterfinals to play No. 3 North Kitsap on Thursday. This is Columbia River’s 20th appearance at a state tournament and first since 2019. The Rapids last placed in 2018 when the team finished sixth.

Class 1A Boys:

No. 7 Seton Catholic vs. No. 10 Meridian at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday in the Yakima Valley SunDome. Elimination game. The winner will advance to the quarterfinals to play No. 1 Zillah on Thursday. This is Seton Catholic’s fourth appearance in a state tournament.

Class 1B Boys:

No. 16 Columbia Adventist Academy vs. No. 8 Naselle at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the Spokane Arena. Elimination game. The winner will advance to the quarterfinals to play No. 2 Wellpinit on Thursday. This is the Kodiaks’ fifth appearance in state.They have never placed. Columbia Adventist had to win two games in the state tournament to advance to Spokane. This is the first time in program history the Kodiaks have won two games in the same state tournament. 

As noted earlier, the Camas Papermakers are not playing Wednesday in the 4A girls basketball state tournament. They went directly to the quarterfinals. No. 1 Camas will play at 10:30 a.m. Thursday against Wednesday’s winner between Bellarmine Prep and Tahoma.