Nobody said winner-to-state bi-district basketball games come easy.  Mountain View’s quest for the girls basketball program’s first state berth since 2001 isn’t over, but the road got harder after Saturday’s 50-47 overtime loss at home to River Ridge in the 3A bi-district quarterfinals.  While River Ridge, out of the Hawks Prairie of Lacey, celebrated its first state berth since 2016 and two years removed from an 0-20 campaign, the Thunder (15-7) now must win two loser-out games to reach state. The program’s last state appearance came during a 22-6 season in 2001.  It starts Wednesday hosting Silas of Tacoma.  “To get that close and to not finish is tough,” first-year coach Chuck Knight said. “A tougher route, but that was our message in the locker room. We’re still alive and got a great chance to still move on.” For both River Ridge and Mountain View, Saturday’s game was a quick turnaround from their bi-district openers Friday night. It went an extra 4 minutes after the teams finished regulation tied at 43-all; Mylee Thompson (10 points) hit two free throws with 19.9 seconds left that tied the game after five lead changes in the final quarter. River Ridge’s largest lead of 36-31 came to start the fourth after a 19-2 scoring run. 

In overtime, River Ridge junior Brandi Stanford took over. She scored six of her game-high 24 in overtime. Mountain View, without two starters the final 3:25 of overtime after fouling out, tied it twice. The latter came at 47-all on Thompson’s layin with 1:40 to play.  The Thunder had the final possession with 12.2 seconds left, but its potential game-tying shot was off the mark. Sveva Bernasconi led the Thunder with 14 points before fouling out the final minute of regulation. Jadlyn Senderson added 10 and Amaya Paschal chipped in nine.  — RIVER RIDGE 50, MOUNTAIN VIEW 47 (OT) RIVER RIDGE — Jada Flynn 0, Maya Armstrong 7, Makiah Wilbourn 9, Kai Paresa 0, Iris Thomas 0, Dakari Weatherly 2, Destiny Robinson 0, Brandi Stanford 24, Jayla Cavalier 8. Totals 20 (2) 9-21 50.

MOUNTAIN VIEW — Mylee Thompson 10, Jadlyn Senderson 9, Layla Senderson 0, Colette Kuffner 0, Sveva Bernasconi 14, Camaria Brown 6, Amaya Paschal 8. Totals 19 (4) 5-10 47. River Ridge 7 11 18 7 7 – 50 Mtn. View 14 13 4 12 4 – 47