Rainier Beach Wins On The Road To Conclude ‘Hood Classic’ Finale

Garfield Bulldogs and Rainier Beach Awaiting Tip Off For Hood Classic Finale

By RayJaun Stelly

Parking limited, tickets sold out immediately once they went online, social media filled with alumni and players promoting the Hood Classic Finale stage was set at none other than the Garfield High School, home of the Bulldogs. Part one to this year’s rivalry took place at the Jamal Crawford court for the last time as Rainier Beach High School is set to be remolded, nonetheless performances by Rutgers commit Kaden Powers and New Mexico commit Jaylen Petty helped the Vikings secure an 81-71 win.

Now with the last time these two historic high school programs will face off against each other on their home floors, the Bulldogs look to even the series at 1-1. Although it may appear to just be another matchup between the purple and white versus the orange and blue, the seniors on both sides are experiencing what could be their last matchup against one another.

Rainier Beach’s Kaden Powers, who played on the Bulldogs floor one last time expressed what this rivalry has meant to him throughout his high school career. “It’s meant a lot to be honest, I love playing these guys they always bring energy no matter what year and they compete it’s fun competing with good players.”

Garfield 13-3, in their last 7 games have won 6 of the last 7, and currently on a four-game winning streak looked to extend their streak to five on their home floor, in addition to potentially handing the Vikings their first Metro League loss. Rainier Beach 15-2, are on a 10-game winning streak, holding the number one spot in the league, and a chance to extend their streak was on the line.

Vikings sophomore Keaundre Morris got the game started with a fade-away jumper, Jaylen Pretty drove past defenders to find an open teammate for a layup and Kaden Powers was wide open for a two-hand dunk, yet despite Rainier Beach’s spark the Bulldogs went on a run. Garfield’s Gelonni ‘Juju’ Ervin got Garfield’s offense going dominating the paint scoring off the dribble and from offensive rebounds.

Ervin’s dominance ignited a 7-2 run for Garfield giving the Bulldogs a 9-7 lead, but following a timeout the Vikings reestablished momentum in their favor, starting with Powers displaying what Rutgers fans will see next season, posting up and finding Micah Ilimeneese for a layup, knocking down a sidestep three, then a transition three assisted by Petty.

After the first eight minutes, Rainier Beach held a 15-13 lead. Bulldogs Ervin picked up where he left off scoring Garfield’s first four points in the quarter by dominating the post, unphased were the Vikings, as Petty scored eight points by making back-to-back threes and a highflying two-handed dunk on the fastbreak. In addition to Petty’s individual scoring, Powers got fans off their feet with a two-hand dunk on a Garfield's Jimmie Haywood.

The Vikings defense held Garfield to just 11 points to their 19, offensively Rainier Beach scored at will whether it was Petty, Powers, Morris, Nyale Robinson or Ilimeneese they could not be stopped. Although Rainier Beach was clicking on all cylinders of the game, Garfield’s Ervin continued to dominate the pain.

Heading into the second half Rainier Beach held a 34-24 lead and facing a 10-point deficit Garfield’s Jimmie Haywood found his rhythm with floaters over out-stretched arms, a two-hand dunk after blowing past the whole Vikings defense and knocking down a three-pointer in transition.

Just like the first half, the Vikings responded to the Bulldogs run. Powers scored off the dribble finishing with his right hand on the left side, Petty finding his teammate for a three-pointer then scoring a floater, Robinson making a one-leg spin fade jump shot. Rainier Beach ended the third quarter how they did the second, taking another 10-point lead going into the fourth.

Leading 50-40, it appeared as if Rainier Beach was going to run away with the game causing a turnover resulting in back-to-back scores, forcing an early timeout by Garfield Head Coach Brandon Roy less than a minute into the final quarter. Despite what looked like the ultimate dagger courtesy of Morris’ making a contested corner three, the Bulldogs went on a momentum changing run.

Garfield’s Haywood began a run of his own by scoring whether it was in the paint or from beyond the arc or facilitating to teammates for scores and at the blink of eye Rainier Beach held a 61-55 lead with 2:33 remaining causing a Viking timeout. Coming out of the break, Petty scored a layup, yet Haywood continued to make plays with a chase down block which led to an alley-oop on the other end for them.

With fans on their feet, standing room only, and a little under a minute remaining, it became a free-throw game for Rainier Beach. Powers and Petty combined for three out of four at the line, leaving a small window open for the Bulldogs, Haywood would find Ervin for a dunk, then Isaiah Davis made a three to cut the lead to 66-64 with 4 seconds remaining and forcing them to foul again.

New Mexico commit Jaylen Petty sealed the game with free throws giving them a 68-64 lead and as the final horn sounded off, Rainier Beach were undefeated in the Hood Classic finale and extending their winning streak to 11.

In his last game at Garfield, Powers expressed his feelings about what he will miss the most about the battles against the Bulldogs. “I will miss the energy; I will never forget me being a kid watching these games and picturing myself playing. Now I really do so I will miss the energy especially for a high school game,” said Powers. “The fact the game was sold out in two hours is crazy, I will miss putting on a show for the city.”

As their four-game win streak concludes, Garfield will host O’Dea at home this Saturday at 5:30pm and Rainier Beach looks to extend their 11-game win streak to twelve on Friday against the Foster Bulldogs at home.