By Conner Orr

The game was neck and neck all night long. Going into halftime the score was 30-28, White River leading. Then going into the third quarter the score was 42-41, White River with a slight lead. However, with only minutes left in the game, River took the lead 52-51 after an Aaron Hoey mid-range jump-shot. 

However, White River quickly tied the game at 52 a piece after a huge free throw. After missing the second free throw, White River maintained possession after the ball went out-of-bounds, last touched by River. Despite this, River’s Nico Valdez forced a pivotal turnover that gave River possession. After driving down the court and a missed three-point attempt by Ari Richardson, River’s Carter Sheron was able to rebound the ball with 13 seconds remaining. This was just enough time for River to call a timeout and set up the eventual game-winning three.

Coach Ganter of the Rapids called the play. It was meant to go to Hoey, who up to that point had scored 8 points. If that failed, the play was meant for Valdez.

Despite this, when Richardson inbounded the ball, he knew he had to take the shot himself. “They played excellent defense on [Hoey], so I just decided to do my own thing,” he told Tim Martinez of The Columbian. This was the right decision as seconds later, he nailed the game-winning three.

“That was easily the best shot I’ve had in my career,” Richardson told The Columbian. “It was the best moment of my life.”