PUYALLUP — The Columbia River Chieftains knew they would be without league MVP Joey Bean on Saturday.
They also knew they could win without him, as long as they got a bunch out of everybody.
Spencer Long scored a career-high 22 points Saturday, and while it was a close game for most of the second half, Columbia River never trailed in a 63-50 victory over Auburn Riverside in the quarterfinals of the bi-district boys basketball tournament at Rogers High School.
The victory sends the Chieftains (17-3) to the bi-district semifinals on Wednesday against Lincoln of Tacoma, but more importantly, the win assures Columbia River a spot in the Class 3A state tournament.
“It definitely hurt without him, but we have a lot of talent,” Long said, referring to Bean, who is out with a sprained left ankle. “We realized without him, we’d have to play stronger defense in order to win. But we still have a lot of talent in our starting five. That helped quite a bit.”
A lot of talent and a lot of nerves of steel. Columbia River’s 15-point first-half lead was down to nothing when Riverside tied the game at 40. But the Chieftains never trailed.
“They brought a lot more pressure in the second half,” Long said. “We eventually adjusted to it. Once we adjusted to it, we took it from there.”
It was a two-point game with 2 minutes, 31 seconds to play, but River’s defense held Riverside scoreless the rest of the way. Columbia River’s next 11 points came at the free-throw line. The Chieftains were 18 of 19 from the line in the game.
“We aren’t as good a basketball team without Joey Bean on the floor, but it’s not the end of the world for us,” Columbia River coach David Long said. “We don’t have a 20-a-night guy on average, but we have guys who can get 20. We’re hard to guard because we can all shoot.”
Freshman Jacob Hjort got the start in place of Bean. He made his first three shots — all 3-pointers. He finished with 11 points.
Chad Pedigo also finished scored 11 points. Nathan Hawthorne added 10. Andrew Vickers and Long each had eight rebounds.
The Chieftains made six 3-pointers in the first half.
“I’d love to be able to say ‘No Joey, no problem,’ but without him on the floor hurts,” said Hawthorne, a senior. “But Jacob Hjort did a great job. His shooting, especially early in the game, really helped us out. In the second half, we were able to get to the rim.”
Auburn Riverside tied the game at 40 late in the third quarter, but Spencer Long and Hawthorne scored from close range, then Long hit two free throws after being fouled on a lay-up attempt. That made it 46-40 after the third.
Spencer Long said that was a point of emphasis in the huddle, that the inside game was working. Long scored again to open the fourth, giving the Chieftains an 8-0 run.
Auburn Riverside responded, cutting the deficit to two points on Mitch Wetmore’s 3-pointer with 2:31 to play. Then it was all River defense, all River free throws for the win.
“This is a big deal for us,” said Hawthorne, recalling the season-ending loss in this bi-district tournament last season. “We’re guaranteed a trip to state.”
The Chieftains also might have bought some time for Bean, who said before the game he does not know when he will be able to play again. Columbia River’s next two games are for seeding only — there is no elimination game.
“Getting to the Sweet 16 gives Joey another week to recover,” Spencer Long said.
The Chieftains proved they could win a big game without Bean. They would prefer winning a few more big games with him.
COLUMBIA RIVER 63, AUBURN RIVERSIDE 50
AUBURN RIVERSIDE — Mitch Wetmore 14, Adrian Correa 0, Julian Gulchuk 8, O’Darius Shaw 11, Quintin Bethea 8, Dennis Beard 2, E.J. Taylor 7, Isaiah Prescott 0. Totals 21-58 (2-13) 6-7 50.
COLUMBIA RIVER — Nathan Hawthorne 10, Andrew Vickers 7, Jacob Hjort 11, Spencer Long 22, Chad Pedigo 11, Grant Turner 2, Tyler Hellman 0. Totals 19-44 (7-19) 18-19 63.
Auburn Riverside 10 15 15 10—50
Columbia River 21 12 13 17—63
