The delayed start to the 2A district tournament was just what the Ridgefield boys basketball team needed.
After losing five of their last six 2A Greater St. Helens League games, the Spudders used the extra practice time offered by inclement weather to refocus.
What resulted was a first-round win at Aberdeen on Tuesday in Ridgefield’s first game since Feb. 5.
“Defensively it was probably our best team effort of the year,” Ridgefield coach Jason Buffum said. “It’s not easy to just practice all the time. But our guys understood the importance of being in the playoffs for a second straight year and refocused.”
Ridgefield, the No. 3 seed in the 2A GSHL, ended the regular season with a 65-35 defeat to Mark Morris.
But last weekend’s winter weather allowed more than just a few days to put that loss in the past.
“It feels like we haven’t played in two weeks,” Buffum said. “It’s not easy to just practice all the time. But our guys understood the importance of being in the playoffs for a second straight year and refocused.”
Ridgefield (12-9) advances to play 2A GSHL champ Columbia River in a semifinal game on Thursday at Hockinson. The winner clinches a state berth.
Josh Mansur scored 20 points, including 16 in the first half as Ridgefield took a 27-17 lead at the break.
Stefan Vossenkuhl scored 15 of his 17 points in the second half as the Spudders finished strong. Matt Gama scored 12 points and James Corey added 10.
Aberdeen (16-5) finished second in the Evergreen Conference and plays W.F. West in a loser-out game Thursday.
RIDGEFIELD 61, ABERDEEN 40
RIDGEFIELD — Carson Knight 0, Nick Jenkins 2, Isaac Aguirre 0, Ben Poppert 0, Josh Mansur 20, Stefan Vossenkuhl 17, Jordan Imai 0, Tyler Poorman 0, Logan Rossman 0, Matt Gama 12, James Corey 10, Curren Whitsitt 0. Totals 25 (7) 4-9 61.
ABERDEEN — Dailen King 0, Jon Ford 0, Payton Miller 2, Ethan Morrill 0, Javier Bojorge 10, Ben Dubianko 16, Derrell Shale 2, Giovanni Pisani 2, Nick Farrer 2, Wyatt Johnson 6. Totals 13 (1) 11-17 40.
Ridgefield 11 16 14 20–61
Aberdeen 8 9 11 12–40
