High-stakes games like Thursday night’s showdown at Columbia River’s Hoover Gymnasium are not often played in December.
The Chieftains proved they’re again the league frontrunner during a 60-44 win over a talented Ridgefield side in a vital pre-holiday 2A Greater St. Helens League matchup. The teams are widely considered the top two squads in the league.
“We were confident coming in,” senior Dylan Valdez said. “We knew it was a tough game, but we’re confident in our abilities. We went out there and got the job done.”
Nate Snook scored 20 points, Valdez finished with 13 points and seven rebounds and Michael Foust scored three of his nine points on a momentum-grabbing halfcourt buzzer-beater for the Chieftains.
Foust grabbed a rebound late in the third quarter, stormed up the court and floated a shot from just beyond the timeline to send the Chieftains into the final frame with a 45-32 advantage.
“I knew it was going in right when I let go of it,” Foust said.
River followed with an 8-2 run to start the fourth quarter, effectively putting the game away with a 53-34 lead.
“It’s such a huge lift,” River coach David Long said. “Those are just fun when they go in.”
With the Spudders holding a significant size advantage across the board, the Chieftains needed big games from their post players.
That was put in peril before the opening tip, as Valdez turned to his coach during player introductions to proclaim he was feeling sick. The 6-foot-4 post had no issues during the game, as he had four blocks to go with his 13 points.
The Chieftains found ways into the Ridgefield interior. Foust had six points in the second quarter as the Chieftains took a 21-19 lead they never relinquished.
“There were a few little cracks in there,” Long said. “This game was a lot tougher because there were very few mismatches. But when they did come, we got the ball to the guy who needed it.”
Defensively, it was post Marc Miranda as the lockdown defender, holding Ridgefield’s Stefan Vossenkuhl to seven points on 1-of-9 shooting.
Columbia River (2-2, 1-0) only had four turnovers on the night, an already finely-tuned machine despite only playing three games entering Thursday. Most teams in the area have played at least six.
“We got a late start this year; there was a little mix-up early in the season,” said Long, whose team plays Mountain View on Saturday. “I’m really happy with where we’re at right now.”
Josh Mansur tallied 19 points and James Corey had seven rebounds for the Spudders, who enter their holiday break 4-2 (0-1 league). They travel to San Diego for the Surf N’ Slam Tournament following Christmas.
COLUMBIA RIVER 60, RIDGEFIELD 44
RIDGEFIELD (4-2) — Carson Knight 4, Tyler Poorman 0, Zac Warren 3, Brandon Kent 3, Josh Mansur 19, Stefan Vossenkuhl 7, Jordan Imai 0, Cole Fulton 6, Luke Price 0, James Corey 2. Totals 17-45 (3-15) 7-13 44.
COLUMBIA RIVER (2-2) — Nate Snook 20, Alex Miller 8, Daniel Hjort 2, Josh Kukula 3, Sam James 0, Marc Miranda 5, Michael Foust 9, Dylan Valdez 13. Totals 20-43 (7-19) 10-17 60.
Ridgefield 13 9 10 12—44
- River 12 16 17 15—60
JV — Ridgefield 52, Columbia River 36.
