TUMWATER — Two years of heartbreak. Two years of not making enough shots. Two years of seeing the same team end their season.
For the Black Hills High School girls basketball team, their nemesis in the Class 2A District 4 tournament has been Columbia River. In back-to-back semifinal games, the Rapids won by double figures.
In 2024, the Wolves were held to 33 points. Last winter, early turnovers and not enough depth cost them in a 62-41 loss.
“We knew we had the skills to beat them,” senior Ellie Johnson said.
Payback was at the forefront of Black Hills’ mind. It didn’t miss its chance.
Natalie Buchanan canned the game-tying 3-pointer with seven seconds left in regulation and Ellie Johnson sank the go-ahead mid-range jumper with 1:08 to go in overtime, sealing a 47-43 OT triumph for the Wolves over the Rapids on Friday night at home in a quarterfinal thriller.
For the third consecutive postseason, Black Hills (14-8) is into the semifinals and a win away from the state tournament. Standing in its way is GSHL champion Mark Morris, a rematch from last year’s quarterfinal, won by the Wolves.
Tip is scheduled for 7:45 p.m. at Woodland High School.
“Nat has been clutch for us quite a bit, she's the one we want to take that shot,” Wolves head coach Herb Guscott said. “Ellie Johnson hit some big shots.”
The personnel back together created optimism within the program. And a 7-2 start solidified the belief. Then Black Hills went in a spiral and was winless in the Evergreen Conference for the first three games.
Guscott never wavered in his belief his team would go on a run to still host a quarterfinal game. He sung their praises afterwards.
“They trust the process and they know what it takes to win,” Guscott said. “They are just great kids to coach. Not the biggest team, but they work really hard.”
Buchanan echoed her coach's feelings.
“We had each other’s back,” she said.
The junior guard took matters into her own hands in the fourth quarter. She buried two triples early and down 40-37 with under 20 seconds left, got the pass from Tyler Venable and her shot was nothing but nylon. Black Hills got a defensive stop to keep the game going.
Venable initially didn’t touch the ball to keep the clock still. A Rapids defender quickly converged, but Venable picked it up in time and spun away to find her classmate in the corner.
“I knew Tyler was gonna be smart,” Buchanan said. “I knew I could do it, I’ve done it before.”
Johnson was not on the roster to start the year, recovering from a fibula injury. Her presence defensively, even with four fouls, made life difficult for Columbia River’s Avi Desjarlais and Braidee Goodwin.
For games like Friday, she’s happy she returned.
“It feels really fun to be a part of a team when we all get along and win in these tight moments,” Johnson said. “It’s been worth it. I knew my team needed me and I didn’t realize I had four fouls. It was a reality check.”
She finished with 10 points, none bigger than what turned out to be the game-winner in OT. She pump faked and instead of driving to the tin, pulled up from the elbow to give the Wolves the lead for good.
Buchanan and Venable made the final three free throws and once the buzzer sounded, they were sent into euphoria. Buchanan led the way with 16 points and Venable added 12. Johnson grabbed 13 rebounds.
“We knew we were good, but I don’t think we really trusted each other,” Guscott said. “This group of kids is the most fun and positive group of kids I've coached in a while.”
Up 14-9 after the opening quarter and 18-10 with five-plus minutes left in the second quarter. Columbia River closed the half on an 11-1 spree, ignited by back-to-back 3s by Olivia Carroll and Mikayla King.
Venable was out of the game for a stretch in the third with the Rapids leading by six. The Wolves never let their opponents pull away and behind four straight points from the junior and two free throws at the buzzer from Cassidy O’Reilly, they tied the game at 27 apiece.
“When you have someone as good as Tyler, when other teams watch film, they’re gonna realize they have to stop (her),” Johnson said. “We use our skills to help her out.”
Black Hills has not been in the final 16 since 2020. Once again, just four quarters separates itself from not only a shot at a district title, but a state berth.
Guscott, Johnson and Buchanan all feel this time is different.
“Last year, whenever we got impressive buckets, we weren't coming together,” Buchanan said. “I think that’s what makes us play better.”
