By The Seattle Medium
The Rainier Beach Vikings secured the 3A state championship in dominant fashion, defeating Edmonds-Woodway 68-48 at the Tacoma Dome. The victory was more than just another title for the program—it was the culmination of a journey years in the making. After falling short in last year’s championship game against Eastside Catholic, the Vikings entered the 2024-25 season determined to reclaim their place at the top. Their roster was already stacked with talent, but when Jaylen Petty returned to the program for his senior year, the team felt whole again.
Petty, a University of New Mexico commit, left Rainier Beach after his freshman season when his family moved to Auburn. Over the next two years, he set records and established himself as one of the state’s top players at Auburn High School. However, when his family returned to Seattle, he rejoined the Vikings with a singular goal: to help his team win a state championship. For Head Coach Mike Bethea, Petty’s return was the final piece of the puzzle. Bethea had always believed this group had championship potential, but without Petty, the team felt incomplete. With his return, the Vikings had their leader, their “closer,” as Bethea called him—a player capable of delivering in the biggest moments.
But Rainier Beach’s journey to the title wasn’t just about Petty. The Vikings were loaded with talent, and every player had a role in the team’s success. Kaden Powers, one of the state’s most versatile players, was a dominant force on both ends of the floor. Nyale Robinson, Marques Ili-Meneese, and Dre Morris provided crucial contributions, from defensive intensity to big-time shot-making. Together, this group made Rainier Beach the top-ranked team in the state, and they played like it throughout the tournament — winning by an average of 25.75 points per game, shooting over 40 percent from three-point range, and scoring 107 point off of turnovers during their four tournament games at the Tacoma Dome.
When the championship game tipped off, Edmonds-Woodway struck first, scoring the opening points of the night. But Rainier Beach responded immediately, with Petty draining a three-pointer, followed by another from Powers to give the Vikings an early lead. The Vikings continued to build momentum as Petty and Ili-Meneese added baskets, and Morris hit a deep three-pointer. By the end of the first quarter, Rainier Beach led 17-11.
Edmonds-Woodway battled back in the second quarter, cutting the deficit to just one point after a three-pointer from Grant Williams. But Robinson responded with a three of his own, and after Powers converted an and-1, the Vikings extended their lead again. The Warriors refused to go away, using their length and toughness to stay within striking distance. Rainier Beach, however, never panicked. The Vikings closed the half strong, with Petty leading the way and Ili-Meneese adding a key putback to give the Vikings a 32-25 lead at the break.
Coming out of halftime, the Vikings took full control. Robinson set the tone with a steal that led to a quick bucket, and Petty followed with a fast-break layup. Powers, who had been a steady presence all game, came up with a series of clutch plays, scoring in transition and knocking down free throws. The Vikings’ defense tightened, forcing turnovers and contesting every shot Edmonds-Woodway attempted. By the time the fourth quarter rolled around, Rainier Beach had stretched its lead to double digits, and Edmonds-Woodway had no answers for the Vikings’ relentless pace.
The fourth quarter was all about closing the game the way Rainier Beach had envisioned. Petty delivered the final statement with a high-flying dunk that brought the crowd to its feet. The Vikings’ defensive pressure continued to frustrate Edmonds-Woodway, as the Warriors struggled to get quality looks. Powers controlled the tempo, ensuring that Rainier Beach dictated the pace down the stretch. Ili-Meneese came up with key rebounds, and Robinson contributed timely baskets. As the final minutes ticked away, Bethea subbed out his starters, allowing the Rainier Beach bench to finish out the game. When the final buzzer sounded, the Vikings erupted in celebration, securing a 68-48 victory and reclaiming their place as the best team in the state.
Petty led all scorers with 26 points, three rebounds, and two assists, but it was a total team effort that delivered the championship. Powers finished with 14 points, Robinson provided key defensive stops and timely baskets, and Morris added his sharpshooting touch. Edmonds-Woodway was led by Cameron Hiatt’s 15 points and 12 rebounds, but they simply couldn’t keep up with Rainier Beach’s depth and athleticism.
After the game, Bethea reflected on the journey his team had taken to get here. He spoke about how the group had come in together as freshmen, how they had stayed committed to the program, and how Petty’s return had helped them finally reach their goal.
“Oh my gosh. You know, this journey started three years ago when I was in the hospital with COVID, and we knew I had a three-to-four-year window with this group,” Bethea said. “We said that if we got all the pieces together, we could win a championship. And when Jaylen said, ‘Hey, Coach, we’re moving back into the area,’ we knew that was the missing link.”
Petty, for his part, was quick to deflect praise and focus on his teammates.
“Teamwork is everything,” he said. “You can’t win one versus five. This was a team effort all the way, and I’m just grateful to be here with these guys.”
For the seniors on the team, this championship was the perfect ending to their high school careers. For Bethea, it was another reminder of why Rainier Beach basketball is one of the most respected programs in the state. And for Petty, it was the storybook ending he had hoped for when he returned home.
As the team celebrated, Bethea took a moment to reflect on how special this group was.
“These guys all started together as freshmen, and we knew that if we could get the team back together again, that was going to be the thing to push us over the top and win it,” Bethea said. “And man, like, right now, I don’t even have words.”
With the win, Rainier Beach secured its place back on top of 3A basketball. But for Bethea, Petty, and the entire team, this championship was about more than just a trophy. It was about completing the journey they had started years ago and proving that they were the best in the state.
