The reign of Rainier Beach hoops continues.
Rainier Beach ran away with a 70-49 victory over O'Dea to win it's fourth 3A state championship in five years.
Rainier Beach head coach Mike Bethea has guided the Vikings (22-4) to eight state championships in his 21 years at the helm.
"This one here is a little bit special, because we were on the brink of elimination, and now here we are, state champions," Bethea said.
The Vikings had their hiccups this season – including losing to O'Dea (20-8) 67-57 in the first round of the Sea-King District tournament – but everything was clicking for Rainier Beach during the title game.
"We underestimated them, and they beat us, but this time we just had to go full court on them the whole time," said Rainier Beach small forward Nkeil Nelson, who transferred to Beach from Shadle Park this year.
Rainier Beach built out a dominating 26-9 lead after the first quarter and never looked back.
Nelson, who was 11-of-19 from the field, led the way, pouring in a game-high 26 points, 21 of which were in the first half.
"There's always that player who just comes out of nowhere and has a knockout game, and Nkeil was on the board tonight," Bethea said.
Guard Sam Cunliffe added 15 points and six rebounds, and forward Keith Smith chipped in 11 points.
O'Dea's energy improved in the second half, opening the third quarter on a 7-0 run behind Michael Carter, who had 21 points for the Irish.
However, the first-half deficit was too much for O'Dea to overcome.
O'Dea, which went unranked for the second half of the season, was led to the state title game under first-year head coach Jason Kerr.
"We're not walking out of here with our heads down," Kerr said. "It stings a little bit, but as we told them, that just means that it meant something to you."
