Hawks reclaim title

YAKIMA - There's a new dynasty in Class 2A girls basketball.

River Ridge won its third state championship in four years Saturday night with a 57-46 victory over Prosser at the Yakima SunDome.

In the past six years, River Ridge has played in four state title games. While playing in a title game was nothing new for a handful of Hawks, it was a first for many, including coach Tom Kelly.

Two years ago, the Hawks defeated Ellensburg, 43-42, to earn back-to-back state titles. In ’07, they beat EvCo rival Tumwater in the final, 40-25. In 2005, they played in their first state title game against Chief Sealth at the 3A level.

The victory caps a remarkable season that included an Evergreen Conference title, a District IV title, and a state title with a 26-1 record.

“I don’t have the words for it,” Kelly said. “It’s unbelievable. Before, I could never get past the semifinals.”

River Ridge’s Jennifer Cole, the 2A tournament MVP, had a game-high 16 points. Sisters Samira and Jasmine McDonald each had 11 points.

Just like in Friday’s semifinal, River Ridge jumped out to a sizable lead and used its speed and in-your-face defense to hold Prosser to 25 percent shooting.

Thanks to four first-half 3-pointers, the Hawks had a 24-11 lead. They hit four of their first six shots.

Tayshia Hunt kept the Mustangs in the game with 13 of her team’s 21 first-half points. Her three-point play with 2:31 to go in the first half was part of a 10-0 run for Prosser in a span of 1:45 that cut the Mustangs’ deficit to 24-21 just before halftime.

Jasmine McDonald hit four free throws in the final 50 seconds to give River Ridge a 28-21 halftime lead.

Prosser tied the game at 28-all after Tamara Jones’ back-to-back baskets. The Hawks then used a 13-0 run, capped by Monteaka Norwood’s 3-pointer, to pull away again at 41-28 with 2:54 left in the third quarter.

“It feels like all the hard work paid off,” River Ridge guard Kelsey Russell said. “It feels so complete. ... It’s just so perfect.”