Ryan Denny scored 25 points and the host Falcons put an end to Mountain View’s bid for a share of the Class 3A Greater St. Helens League championship.
The result means Columbia River wins the league championship. Mountain View will finish in second place and Prairie will finish third.
This game was close from start to finish, but the Falcons were solid down the stretch. Prairie never trailed in the second half and salted away the win by making 11 of 13 free throws in the fourth quarter.
Denny scored 12 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter, and made all nine of his free throws in the period.
The Falcons (14-5, 8-3) outscored the Thunder by two points in each quarter. Mountain View (14-5, 9-2), which could have earned a share of the league title with wins on Tuesday at Prairie and on Friday against Camas, pulled within one point early in the fourth quarter.
“Our kids have been playing real well down the stretch (of the season),” Prairie coach Kyle Brooks said.
Even though Tuesday’s game didn’t matter in terms of the Falcons position in the district tournament, Brooks said winning the last home game of this season was significant.
“We felt it was a great opportunity to beat a good Mountain View team and get some confidence going into the playoffs,” Brooks said
Nathan Cherzan had 14 points and 12 rebounds for the Falcons, and Preston Brooks had seven assists.
For Mountain View, Ryan Johnson scored 19 points and Rico Bolivar added 16.
PRAIRIE 62, MOUNTAIN VIEW 54
MOUNTAIN VIEW — Zach Torson 8, Taylor Drey 7, Ryan Johnson 19, Luke DuChesne 2, Rico Bolivar 16, Sean McCauley 0, Shane McCauley 2. Totals 18 (2) 16-25 54.
PRAIRIE — Colton Prestwich 0, Reece Burnett 8, JaMariay McDonald 3, Preston Brooks 7, James Phillips 1, Ryan Denny 25, Andy Hak 2, Dane Brooks 2, Nathan Cherzan 14. Totals 21 (6) 14-21 62.
Mtn View 13 12 12 17–54
Prairie 15 14 14 19–62
JV — Mountain view won. C — Mountain View won.
