BETHEA CONTINUES TO WIN CHAMPIONSHIPS: RAINIER BEACH CLAIMS 3A CROWNVikings overwhelm Lincoln early, building a 38–8 halftime lead before finishing off a 75–53 victory as Coach Mike Bethea captures

TACOMA — History was made Saturday night at the Tacoma Dome as the Rainier Beach Vikings captured the 3A Boys State Championship with a dominant 75–53 victory over the Lincoln Abes.

The championship not only added another trophy to Rainier Beach’s storied program but also cemented the legacy of longtime Vikings head coach Mike Bethea. With the win, Bethea secured his 10th state championship, setting a Washington state record for the most boys basketball state titles by a head coach.

Rainier Beach established control of the championship game early, using relentless defensive pressure and fast-paced offense to overwhelm Lincoln from the opening tip. The Vikings held the Abes to just eight points in the entire first half, storming into halftime with a commanding 38–8 lead.

The defensive intensity set the tone for the entire game, as Rainier Beach forced turnovers, dominated the boards, and consistently turned defense into transition scoring opportunities.

Rainier Beach was led offensively by outstanding freshman shooting guard J.J. Crawford, who poured in 18 points to lead the Vikings. The nation’s No. 1 high school player and McDonald’s All-American Tyran Stokes, added a strong all-around performance with 16 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals and 1 block, helping control the tempo and maintain Rainier Beach’s comfortable lead throughout the second half.

Micah Ill Meneese also delivered a strong performance inside, the MVP of the tournament finishing with 15 points and 10 rebounds to help power the Vikings on both ends of the floor.

Lincoln was led by Davion Shareef-Dulaney, who scored 18 points to pace the Abes despite the early deficit.

For Bethea, the moment marked another chapter in one of the most decorated coaching careers in Washington high school basketball history. Over decades at Rainier Beach, he has built a powerhouse program known for producing elite talent and competing for championships year after year.

With 10 state championships, Bethea stands alone in the record books, continuing to build a legacy that has defined Rainier Beach basketball for generations.