Eastside Catholic (14-7) built a 46-38 lead early in the third before top-ranked senior
Tyran Stokes and the Vikings took over. Stokes drew six fouls in the third quarter, putting Eastside big men
Tytan McNeal and
Yabi Aklog in major foul trouble.
Stokes scored 12 of his game-high 35 points during that run as Rainier Beach improved to 20-1. Regarded as the nation's top high school basketball prospect by multiple recruiting services, he also made all 19 off his free throw attempts just days after scoring 63 points in a game.
Rainier Beach senior Tyran Stokes scored 35 points and made all 19 of his free throws as the Vikings topped Eastside Catholic 94-67 in the MaxPreps Game of the Week. (PHOTO: Patrick Krohn)
Despite missing elite freshman
J.J. Crawford, the son of assistant coach and 20-year NBA veteran Jamal Crawford, Rainier Beach had four players score in double figures.
Sophomore
Knowledge Wright had nine of his 18 points for Rainier Beach in the third quarter along with three steals and two assists.
Micah Ili-Menesse and
Achillies Reyna also scored in double figures.
Eastside Catholic last topped Rainier Beach in the 2024 state championship game. Since then, the Vikings have won six straight against Eastside, including an 85-74 victory last month. The Metro League rivals could meet multiple times in the postseason.
Aklog and McNeal came up big in the first half as Eastside Catholic held a 44-38 lead at halftime. Aklog, a four-star uncommitted senior had 15 points, 11 rebounds and six blocks for the Crusaders. McNeal, the No. 1 tight end in the Class of 2028, chipped in 17 points before fouling out midway through the fourth quarter.
