Rainier Beach Reigns Again: Vikings Claim 10th State Championship
A legacy of greatness continues as Rainier Beach defeats Edmonds-Woodway 68-48, fueled by tradition, teamwork, and a new generation of champions.
TACOMA – Jaylen Petty walked past the scorer’s table, pointed to his ring finger, and said, “I got one.”
Mike Bethea raised his arms high, his fingers pointing toward the wooden Tacoma Dome rafters. Jamal Crawford handed out state title T-shirts, while Dave King started a “Beeeach Boyyysss” chant.
Nyale Robinson climbed the ladder to snip his piece of the net, reflecting on how he had just added a new chapter to his family’s Rainier Beach legacy.
There was dancing. There were hugs. There were interviews and high-fives.
As King said before Rainier Beach’s 68-48 win over Edmonds-Woodway in the Class 3A state championship game on Saturday night at the Tacoma Dome, “The trophy is coming home.”
For the 10th time in school history, the Vikings are state champions.
“This is just as good as the first one,” Rainier Beach coach Mike Bethea said. “We knew that if they bought in and came together as a team, the result was going to be a state championship.”
Back in 1998, Crawford and King won a state title at the Kingdome. Bethea was their coach.
More than 25 years have passed since that championship – the first of Bethea’s career – but his passion remains unchanged. Bethea, Crawford, and King are paying their success forward to a new generation of players, and those athletes are committed to living up to the legacy.
“The coaches are always keeping me positive and confident,” said Petty, who scored a game-high 26 points. “And getting to play with my teammates, it’s a brotherhood. It’s more than just basketball.”
As Petty was being interviewed, King walked over and said, “One of the best we’ve ever coached, ever.”
Unselfish and unflinching, Petty was the Vikings’ leader all season, yet he never demanded attention. He was content to share the spotlight.
When it comes to legacy, Robinson has spent his whole life preparing for his state title moment. His father, Nate Robinson, won back-to-back titles with the Vikings in 2002 and 2003.
“I have no words,” Robinson said. “It was meant to be. My dad did it. It’s my turn now.”
Saturday night was an intersection of tradition spanning several generations of Rainier Beach basketball.
Like King said, the trophy is coming home.