Prairie’s Stockbridge takes his toll on Columbia River (Video)

Michael Stockbridge usually does not score in bunches. He has other priorities on the basketball court.

“I want to take care of my teammates first and fend for myself second,” Stockbridge said.

Not Thursday. His Prairie teammates wanted Stockbridge to carry the Falcons into a tie for first place in the Class 3A Greater St. Helens League.

Stockbridge made 9 of his 11 shots, including 7 of 8 from 3-point range, and scored 28 points as Prairie crushed Columbia River 72-40, tying the Chieftains in the standings, both at 3-1 with two to play.

Columbia River won the first meeting with a buzzer-beater.

Prairie won Thursday’s game, well, a long time before any final buzzer.

Up 10 after the first quarter, the Falcons went to Stockbridge in the pivotal second quarter.

A 3-pointer in front of the River bench.

A 3-pointer in front of the River bench.

A 3-pointer, yes, in front of the River bench.

He eventually moved to a different spot on the floor, and — splash — hit another 3-pointer.

That gave Prairie a 32-13 lead. And at that point, Stockbridge led the Chieftains 14-13 by himself.

“Nothing like it. Just an amazing feeling,” Stockbridge said. “We all played really well. A fun atmosphere.”

Stockbridge would miss his next shot — from inside the arc — but teammate Matthew Kogler was there for an offensive rebound and put-back basket. Stockbridge made his final shot of the quarter, giving Prairie a 36-21 lead at the half. All six of his shots in the period led to the 16 Falcon points.

“I was just waiting for my chance to shine,” Stockbridge said.

It was deserved, Prairie coach Kyle Brooks said.

“He’s been our unsung hero all year,” Brooks said. “I kept telling him, ‘Michael, you’re going to have a big game when it counts.’ Tonight he did that. He was hot, and the guys kept feeding him.”

River scored the first five points of the second half, but Prairie’s shots just kept falling. Stockbridge hit two more 3-pointers in the quarter, and it was over.

“I thought we had a good chance to win this game, but I never imagined we could shoot the ball that well and play that great against a very good team,” Brooks said. “Just so proud for us to play that inspired.”

Prairie made 29 of 51 shots, including 11 from 18 from 3-point range.

“I don’t think anybody in the gym expected this,” Stockbridge said.

Andrew Vickers made five 3-pointers and finished with 17 points to lead Columbia River.

Greg Bernash had 15 points and Seth Hall added 13 for the Falcons.

Should Prairie and Columbia River finish the league season tied, the two teams would meet again in a playoff to determine the top seed to the bi-district tournament.

PRAIRIE 72, COLUMBIA RIVER 40

COLUMBIA RIVER — Kyle Winborne 0, Jordan Hall 0, Andrew Vickers 17, Jameel Morton 3, Jacob Hjort 5, Ridge Lahti 0, Nathan Hockhalter 2, Logan Hamilton 0, Spencer Long 8, Corey McArthur 0, Nasseen Gutierrez 0, Spencer Black 5. Totals 14 (9) 3-5 40.

PRAIRIE — Palmer Goecke 0, Kameron Osborn 3, Braiden Broadbent 0, Michael Stockbridge 28, Seth Hall 13, Ethan Rouse 0, Chase Lund 3, Dwayne Stewart 2, Greg Bernash 15, Matthew Kogler 8. Totals 29 (11) 3-5 72.

C. River 10 11 14 5–40

Prairie 20 16 18 18–72