Columbia River started fast to beat Ridgefield 62-48 for a key 2A Greater St. Helens League boys basketball win on Tuesday.
The Rapids shut down in the visiting Spudders in the first half to lead 38-16 at halftime. That gave Columbia River breathing room in its quest to avenge a 59-57 loss earlier this season.
River’s win has crucial implications for district playoff seeding. The Rapids (13-5, 11-2 2A GSHL) expanded their lead over third-place Ridgefield (12-6, 10-4).
River also remains on the heels of first-place Mark Morris (14-5, 13-1). The Rapids head to Longview on Saturday looking for their second win over the Monarchs this season.
Aaron Hoey led Columbia River with 19 points. Miles Fitzwilson added 15 points, including three 3-pointers.
Jamison McCann scored 13 points and Cole Chester added 12 points for Ridgefield.
3A GSHL
PRAIRIE 81, HERITAGE 45 — Josh Crane scored 22 points as the Falcons clinched a postseason berth with a 3A GSHL home win.
In the first quarter, Crane scored nine points and Carson Morningstar had eight of his 15 points. That helped Prairie bolt to a 25-6 lead.
Prairie improved to 9-8 overall and 4-3 in 3A GSHL play. With Mountain View’s loss to Kelso on Tuesday, the Falcons can finish no worse than the third-and-final seed to the bi-district tournament.
Delorian Holmes and Tucker Price each scored 11 points for Heritage (2-16, 0-6).
KELSO 50, MOUNTAIN VIEW 47 — Michael Henderson scored 18 points as the Hilanders earned a key road win that sets up a showdown with Evergreen for the league title.
Kelso and the Plainsmen are both 5-1 in league play with two games remaining. They clash Feb. 5 in Kelso in the regular-season finale.
The loss eliminates Mountain View (5-13, 2-5) from postseason contention.
2A GSHL
WOODLAND 70, HUDSON’S BAY 45 — Sam Jeschke and Lucas Logan combined for 50 of the Beavers 70 points in the 2A GSHL win over visiting Hudson’s Bay.
Jeschke scored 30 points, making 5 of 9 from beyond the 3-point arc, and also had five steals and four assists.
Logan had a double-double of 20 points and 12 rebounds plus four steals.
Hudson’s Bay was led in scoring by Noah David with 18 points and Aqueel Bauman with 15.
