The Riverside Boys moved to within one win of a trip to state with a dominant 70-44 triumph over Medical Lake at West Valley High School in the District seven third-place game.
The Rams built an early 9-2 advantage in less than three minutes of playing time and led 20-12 after the opening period. Daniel Schneider and Jake Graham had seven points apiece.
While the Rams’ offensive pace slowed, the defense held the Cardinals scoreless for more than four minutes to help grow their lead to 25-15. A run of 12-4 to close the first half sent the Rams to the locker room up 20 at 39-19. Graham topped the first half scoring with 11.
The junior guard would add eight in the third as Riverside maintained their lead at the end of three quarters, 54-34.
Graham topped the scoring tally with 28, and seniors Daniel Schneider and Jake Gaffaney had eleven each.
Riverside now travels to eighth-ranked Quincy for a 6:00 tip on Saturday, with the victor claiming one of 16 state tournament tickets.
