Finally, Rainier Beach able to put away 3A Metro League basketball thriller against Eastside Catholic

Top national recruit Tyran Stokes, talented ninth grader JJ Crawford combine for 20 of team's final 22 points in No. 1 Vikings' 85-74 home victory over No. 2 Crusaders

Senior Tyran Stokes, the top 2026 recruit in the country, flies high for a dunk as part of his team-high 31 points in Rainier Beach’s 85-74 victory over Eastside Catholic on Monday night. (Lauren Smith / VarsityWA)

SEATTLE — Seeing all of its 14-point lead in the second half disappear, the duo of senior Tyran Stokes and ninth grader JJ Crawford made sure top-ranked Rainier Beach wasn’t going to experience heartbreak in its first home game of 2026.

Stokes, the consensus No. 1 recruit in the country in 2026, and Crawford, the son of NBA guard Jamal Crawford, combined for 20 of the team’s 22 fourth-quarter points, taking over in the final four minutes to lead the Vikings to an 85-74 victory over No. 2 Eastside Catholic on Monday night.