Rainier Beach vs. Bellarmine Prep in WIAA 3A semifinal showdown

Defending champ Rainier Beach eyes title game berth as Bellarmine Prep stands in way

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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Defending state champion and top-seeded Rainier Beach (27-1) puts its 22-game winning streak on the line Friday when the Vikings face fifth-seeded Bellarmine Prep (23-3) in the WIAA 3A semifinals at Tacoma Dome. Rainier Beach, led by five-star senior small forward Tyran Stokes, erased a halftime deficit to defeat O'Dea in the quarterfinals, while Bellarmine Prep is coming off a victory over Edmonds-Woodway.

Why it matters

This semifinal matchup features two of the top teams in Washington high school basketball, with Rainier Beach looking to defend its state title and Bellarmine Prep aiming to pull off the upset and advance to the championship game.

The details

Rainier Beach, the top seed, boasts one of the most talented rosters in Washington history, led by five-star senior Tyran Stokes. The Vikings also feature standouts Marques Ili-Menesse, Achilles Reyna, Kam Babbs, and Knowledge Wright, plus freshman phenom JJ Crawford. Bellarmine Prep, the fifth seed, is led by junior guard Ronnie Wiggins and a balanced attack that includes the Heisel brothers and senior Birk Johnston.

  • The quarterfinal games were played on Thursday, March 5, 2026.
  • The semifinal matchup between Rainier Beach and Bellarmine Prep is scheduled for 3:45 p.m. PT on Friday, March 6, 2026.
  • The winner of the semifinal will advance to the championship game on Saturday, March 7, 2026.

The players

Tyran Stokes

A five-star senior small forward and the nation's top-ranked player in the 2026 class, who has narrowed his collegiate choices to Kansas, Kentucky, and Oregon.

Ronnie Wiggins

A junior guard for Bellarmine Prep who led the team with 18 points in the quarterfinal victory over Edmonds-Woodway.

Mike Bethea

The head coach of the defending state champion Rainier Beach Vikings.

Bobby Moorehead

The second-year head coach of the Bellarmine Prep Lions.

Jamal Crawford

An NBA legend and current assistant coach for the Rainier Beach Vikings.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The winner of the Rainier Beach vs. Bellarmine Prep semifinal will advance to the WIAA 3A championship game on Saturday, March 7, 2026.

The takeaway

This semifinal matchup features two of the top high school basketball programs in Washington, with Rainier Beach looking to defend its state title and Bellarmine Prep aiming to pull off the upset and advance to the championship game.