Deonte Hawkins hit an 8-foot jumper with one second left as the Trappers won a dramatic playoff game.
Fort Vancouver (10-11) advances to play Mountain View on Thursday in a Class 3A Greater St. Helens district semifinal game. The Trappers are also assured of a spot in the bi-district playoffs.
Prairie (11-10) is eliminated from the playoffs.
In a game of runs on Tuesday at Columbia River High School, it was the Trappers who made the last made dash to victory.
A 15-foot jump shot by Trey Eisenhut tied the game with about 40 seconds left. Fort’s Loris Hervey then made a steal.
Instead of attacking the basket, the Trappers ran most of the remaining time off the clock. Hawkins took his shot as the shot clock expired.
“It bounced on the rim for about six seconds, it seemed like,” Fort coach Scott Thompson said of the shot.
Prairie had one second left, but the Falcons long pass up court went did not produce a scoring chance.
Prairie had a seven-point lead early in the second quarter, and Fort was up six late in the third quarter, but the game was highlighted by defense and was close at the end of each quarter.
Matt Delisle hit four 3-pointers and led Fort Vancouver with 14 points. Hervey finished with 10 points.
After Hervey’s second steal of the game, the Trappers had an chance to possibly score in transition. Instead, without calling a timeout, they ran down the clock to play for a last shot.
“I’ve got a lot of trust in my guys,” Thompson said. “We practice end of game situations daily.”
James Phillips topped the scoring for Prairie with 11 points.
FORT VANCOUVER 41, PRAIRIE 39
PRAIRIE — JaMariay McDonald 0, Reece Burnett 8, Mason Pack 4, James Phillips 11, Preston Brooks 8, Ronnie McPherson 8. Totals 16-41 (3-12) 4-9 39.
FORT VANCOUVER — Loris Hervey 10, Matt Delisle 14, Deonte Hawkins 6, K-Last Karue 0, Jordan Howard 0, Will Doty 4, Julio Montoya, Tre Eisenhut 7, Jacob Howard, GaQuan White 0. Totals 16-45 (7-26) 2-3 41.
Prairie 9 12 11 7–39
Fort 8 14 11 8–41
