Rainier Beach was the No. 1 ranked 3A basketball team in Washington State going into the 2024-2025 state playoffs. They boasted an impressive 27-3 record in all competitions this season and went 16-0 in their division. Beach came into this game looking the clear favorites but would be held off in a close game down to the last play.
With 3:18 left in the 4th quarter, Rainier Beach was trailing 51-50. So Rainier Beach head coach Mike Bethea makes the call to sub in the Viking’s top pointer scorer, Jaylen Petty, who had sat out the first three quarters due to an injury. Bellarmine Prep noticed this change and took on a more aggressive playstyle to counter Petty and the Vikings. The Vikings scored a free-throw to tie the game up. But, Ben Heisel of Bellarmine Prep kept up the pressure on Beach as he converted two free-throws, bringing the score to 53-51 right before Bellarmine called a time out. After the timeout Kaiden Powers would convert a free-throw for Beach, bringing this back to a one-point game. But this hope would be short lived as Bellarmine would respond with a long-range 3 pointer bringing the score to 56-52 as they called a timeout with 48 seconds left in the game.
After the timeout, Powers would step up and convert two free throws for Beach, just before Beach called a timeout with 16 seconds left. After the timeout, Rainier Beach began to tactically foul Bellarmine Prep to conserve time. Birk Johnston would get fouled, and ended up converting both of his free throws. Bringing the score to 59-54 with seconds left on the clock. Petty would hit a 3 pointer at the buzzer but it would be in vain as Beach lost 59-57.
The Vikings won the tip-off but quickly turned over the ball. But Rainier Beach’s Marqus Ili-Mensse would steal the ball back and score the first two points of the night. On the next possession, Kade Price would respond, evening the score for Bellarmine Prep. The opening quarter was extremely fast paced, with Beach doing a great job on defense in holding back the relentless pressure from Bellarmine. The two teams would continue to go back and forth before Price hit a three-point shot to extend the Lions’ lead to 14-12 as the teams went into the second quarter.
Bellarmine started the 2nd quarter hot, building a 6 point lead behind Johnston and Heisel. This was partially due to Bellarmine being very aggressive in the paint, allowing them to make highly contested lay-ups, even while covered by multiple defenders. Beach’s Nyale Robinson would get his third steal on the night as he continued to lock up this Lion’s offense.
With 3:50 left in the 2nd quarter, Beach began cutting into the Bellarmine lead. Powers hit a three pointer, bringing the score to 24-21. Then he would assist Ili-Meneese to narrow the gap to 24-23 going into the final minute of the quarter. But the Lion’s would scratch back as J.J. Bordeaux and Price would both drain three pointers, while Powers and Robinson would chip in two points for beach. So Bellarmine went up 30-27 as they headed into the half.
Halftime score: Bellermine Prep 30, Rainier Beach 27 pic.twitter.com/9qAHhRKEKb
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Bellarmine started the half with the ball, but failed to convert as Powers of Rainier Beach would drive up the court for a lay-up. Robinson would follow this up with a 3 pointer as beach took a 32-30 lead. Ayden Veler and Heisel would combine for six points in the next few plays, while Powers and Dre Morris would combine for 5 points.
As Beach led 37-36, Ronnie Wiggins of Bellarmine would step up and sink two free throws, taking the Lions back into the lead at 38-37. But after that tech, the Vikings would go on a 6-0 run, as they took a 43-38 lead. But, Rainier Beach started to show signs of exhaustion as they struggled to move the ball around the court. Bellarmine found their rhythm, connecting on shots and passes as Bellarmine tied the game 43-43 heading into the 4th quarter.
The Vikings started the final quarter with the ball, as Powers assisted Ili-Meneese for two points. But the Lions would respond quickly as Price sunk a three-point shot. Powers returned the favor and drained a three-pointer for the Vikings, bringing the score to 48-46. With 5 minutes left in the game, Beach tried to turn up the heat but continued to make sloppy mistakes that Bellarmine was always ready to take advantage of. Heisel would go to the line, as he converted two free throws and tied the game at 48. Johnston followed with a layup which would see Bellarmine pull ahead to 50-48. Bellarmine and Beach would go back and forth, but with the scoring being 51-50 to Bellarmine, Beach had a card up their sleeve which they were ready to unleash.
Rainier Beach’s early loss in the tournament has come as a shock to many, but #2 Mt. Spokane and many other top contenders will be looking to assert their dominance as the new top team in Washington as we head to the Tacoma Dome later this week. Rainier Beach will be looking to find their feet before they face off against Eastside Catholic on the 5th.
