LONGVIEW — In case anyone forgot how dangerous the Columbia River boys basketball team can be, the Rapids provided a convincing reminder in Saturday’s Class 2A state opening round game. Fueled by what they felt was a lower seed than their statewide status throughout the season, the N0. 11 seed Rapids (19-5) rolled to a 94-63 win over No. 14 Renton at Mark Morris High School and returned to the Round of 12 at Yakima Valley SunDome for a second straight year. River will face No. 6 Lakewood on Wednesday at 9 a.m. “We know we’re one of the best teams in the state,” said Columbia River senior John Reeder, who scored 17 points. “We don’t think we should’ve been ranked this low. We (knew) if we go there, we could prove it and we could have a chance to win it all.” Reeder helped River jump out to a 23-12 lead, scoring eight points through a high tempo opening quarter that saw the Rapids firing on all cylinders.

Their hot start was never cooled off. With River’s defense holding Renton to 26 first-half points, the Rapids played fast and free on offense. “I kind of figured that this (game) was going to be like that,” River coach Mark Ganter said. “We’ve been practicing hard all week. The message has been clear — that we are a good team — and we just got to go show it.” They extended a 42-26 halftime lead with a 10-0 run midway through the third on 3-pointers from Aaron Hoey, Ari Richardson, plus baskets from Luca Phillips and Javen Fletch said. “I think it’s what we’re capable of every game, so it’s just good to have everybody click,” Fletch said. “Everybody played their part.”

Five players reached double figures led by Hoey’s 24 points, with Richardson adding 12 points, Alex Pont scoring 11 points and Fletch scoring 10 points. “I really think that’s kind of our game … just getting up and down and running the floor,” Reeder said. “When we can do that and we have a team that can’t stay in front of us, there’s nothing anyone can do about us.” The Rapids welcomed back Fletch into the fold Saturday after the senior missed the team’s winner-to-state game against W.F. West Feb. 20 with an ankle injury. With the Rapids’ season on the line, Fletch had little doubt he would play against Renton. He provided the lockdown defense and energy the Rapids have come to expect from the senior, who transferred from Skyview to River this year. “(His) defense, he’s the talker, he gets everybody talking, which we need,” Ganter said. “It’s been great having him here.”

While Fletch was part of Skyview’s 4A state tournament run last year at the Tacoma Dome, the Rapids return plenty of veteran experience from their 2024 trip to the Yakima Valley SunDome that ended in a Round of 12 loss to Anacortes. “We came together this year with one goal, and especially coming here (to River), these guys welcomed me,” Fletch said. “So, it’s just good for everything to click now.” Led by seniors Hoey, Reeder, Richardson, Tyler Miles, and now, Fletch, the Rapids know exactly what to expect this time around. “We’ve got guys like me, Ari, Aaron (who) have been on varsity all four years,” Reeder said. “We’ve got Javen coming from a school that just placed top eight in 4A. So, bringing that experience in with the guys playing all that time on varsity, it’s just a great group of guys that, really, are just ready for anything.”

COLUMBIA RIVER 94, RENTON 63 RENTON (7-16) — Jordan Agosto 26, Landon Saephan 0, Isaac Elegan 14, Nate Omar 8, James Pattenaude 0, Juice White-Kelley 3, Messiah Piper 4, Anthony Porter 3, Jalen Taylor 3, Nick Jarvis 0, Jay Jay Saechao 2. Totals 23 (6) 11-15 63. COLUMBIA RIVER (19-5) — Alex Pont 11, Ari Richardson 12, Kellen Clary 8, Javen Fletch 10, Chase Fitzwilson 0, John Reeder 17, Tyer Miles 1, Joey Ianello 2, Luca Phillips 9, Aaron Hoey 24, Josh Paxton 0. Totals 37 (10) 10-18 94. Renton               12            14            14            23—63 Col. River                23            19            24            28—94