The Columbia River men’s basketball team got off to a strong start, securing a 62-48 victory over Ridgefield in a crucial 2A Greater St. Helens League match on Tuesday. The Rapids delivered a dominant performance, leading 38-16 at halftime and avenging a 59-57 loss earlier in the season.
This win has significant implications for district playoff seeding, as the Rapids (13-5, 11-2 2A GSHL) extended their lead over third-place Ridgefield (12-6, 10-4) and remain close behind first-place Mark Morris (14-5, 13-1). Their upcoming game against the Monarchs on Saturday will be crucial in determining their standing in the league.
Key players for Columbia River included Aaron Hoey, who led the team with 19 points, and Miles Fitzwilson, who added 15 points, including three 3-pointers. On the other side, Jamison McCann scored 13 points and Cole Chester added 12 points for Ridgefield.
In the 3A GSHL category, Prairie secured an 81-45 home win over Heritage, with Josh Crane leading the Falcons with 22 points and helping the team clinch a postseason berth. Prairie’s strong start in the first quarter, where they took a 25-6 lead, set the tone for their victory. Carson Morningstar also contributed significantly with 15 points, solidifying their position in the league.
Meanwhile, Kelso secured a 50-47 victory over Mountain View, with Michael Henderson scoring 18 points and steering the Hilanders towards a showdown with Evergreen for the league title. The upcoming clash between Kelso and Evergreen will be a highly anticipated match-up, as both teams have a 5-1 record in league play with two games remaining. Unfortunately for Mountain View, the loss eliminates them from postseason contention.
In the 2A GSHL, Woodland emerged victorious with a 70-45 win over Hudson’s Bay, with Sam Jeschke and Lucas Logan combining for 50 of the Beavers’ 70 points. Jeschke’s impressive performance included 30 points, with 5 successful 3-pointers, along with five steals and four assists. Logan also had a notable double-double, contributing 20 points and 12 rebounds, as well as four steals. Hudson’s Bay’s top scorers were Noah David with 18 points and Aqueel Bauman with 15.
These recent games have set the stage for exciting upcoming matchups, and the competition is heating up as teams strive for playoff berths and top spots in the league standings.