‘A bond beyond basketball’: Mountaineers celebrate seniors, thump Vikings 62-35

Three Rainier honorees reach 1,000 career points in win

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In a season where the Rainier High School girls basketball team has been hyper-fixated on finishing its unfinished business, the Mountaineers took a quick moment to relish in their accomplishments on senior night Saturday, Feb. 1.

But after Rainier’s four seniors led the charge in the 62-35 dismantling of Mossyrock, while making some history in the process, the Mountaineers will soon be back to work as they enter the postseason on a six-game winning streak.

Seniors Janess Blackburn, Bryn Beckman, Angelica Askey and Brooklynn Swenson were honored before the game, and the latter three surpassed 1,000 career points during the regular-season finale.

“This senior group will leave a legacy of winning. The impact and stamp they have made will be remembered long after they are gone,” Rainier head coach Brandon Eygabroad said of his seniors. “This group exemplifies what it takes to be successful in sports and in life.”

For the second straight night, the Mountaineers punished their opponent via the long ball. Two nights after knocking down 12 treys in a blowout win over Toutle Lake, Rainier stayed hot with four triples in the first quarter, including a pair from Askey. She continued to pour it on in the second quarter with the Mountaineers’ lead expanding, as she drilled two more 3-pointers to bring her first-half scoring tally to 18 points and to give her team a 37-18 halftime lead.

The Mountaineers added to their 3-point collection with three more in the second half to give them a grand total of nine for the night in the 27-point victory. On senior night, Rainier’s four leading scorers were all seniors; Askey notched a game-high 23 points and Beckman added 17. Swenson tacked on 11 points and Blackburn pitched in five. Maci Rashoff led the Vikings with 14 points thanks to four triples.

Each of the Rainier seniors reflected on how their time together has built more than a chemistry on the hardwood.

“The program has been such a significant part of my life over the years. It’s more than just a sport; it’s been a source of personal growth,” Swenson said. “The friendships I’ve formed on the court are some of the strongest bonds I have, and the lessons learned from our coaches have shaped my character in countless ways. The memories of those intense games, the celebrations, and the shared experiences will always hold a special place in my heart.”

Askey, who is finishing her third year at Rainier after transferring from Yelm, said her Mountaineers teammates have made her feel like she’s part of the family.

“Obviously senior night is very sad and a moment to remember, but overall it was very fun. [The season] isn’t over yet, but I hope we carry this throughout districts and state,” she said. “This program has meant everything to me. I love these girls, and I can’t wait to do big things with them. It’s been a journey and a ride with them for my three years. I wouldn’t trade anything.”

Blackburn called senior night a “combination of sadness and accomplishment” and said she was filled with gratitude to see how far the group has come together.

“It’s a weird feeling to realize that all the adventures and moments with fellow seniors and teammates are no longer at my fingertips but a memory to look back on,” she said. “Rainier basketball is truly a family. The bond we’ve developed as teammates goes far beyond basketball. We’ve celebrated victories, pushed through tough losses, and grown both as players and people. While it’s bittersweet to play our last regular-season home game, I’m thankful for every experience, lesson and friendship this journey has given me.”

Beckman once thought her senior season was over before it started as she suffered a knee injury in the summer that required surgery. But her recovery went faster than expected, and she made her season debut on Jan. 10. She said the opportunity to play on senior night carried plenty of emotions.

“I have had the privilege of playing alongside those girls since elementary school. To us, it is so much more than putting a ball in a hoop. It is lifelong friendships, unbreakable trust, and unwavering support,” Beckman said. “This might have been our last home game, but we still have more memories to make and a bigger legacy to leave behind.”

Eygabroad echoed the sentiment that the seniors have already left a legacy but still have more goals to accomplish, including bringing home hardware at districts and at state. He thanked them for giving it their all for the program over the years.

“They have been nothing but successful in their time here at Rainier. We will truly miss this fine group of young women who represented Rainier basketball with class,” Eygabroad said. “We are so very proud of each and every one of them and expect them to go off and continue their success in life. I am proud and humbled to have had the opportunity to coach Bryn, Brooklyn, Angelica and Janess.”

Rainier finishes the regular season with a 17-3 record and a 7-1 mark in the Central 2B League. The Mountaineers await their seeding in the District 4 2B tournament, which begins with the first round on Saturday, Feb. 8. If it can hang onto the second seed in the C2BL, Rainier will earn a first-round bye and will play on Tuesday, Feb. 11 at Castle Rock High School, with time and opponent to be determined.

Mossyrock ends the campaign with an 8-9 record and 3-4 against C2BL opponents in its first year back at the 2B level.