In the end, there was no denying Richland. No denying this free-flowing, electric offense. No denying the sheer number of different Bombers players who can put the ball in the hoop.

Gonzaga Prep scratched, clawed and made things as challenging as possible for Richland, but Richland’s talent ultimately won out.

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Richland won the 4A state championship game at the Tacoma Dome on Saturday, 63-49, capping off an undefeated season with a 28-0 record and leaving no doubt who was the best team in 4A this winter.

The Bombers have been knocking on the door in recent years. On Saturday, in front of the largest student section in the Tacoma Dome all week, the Bombers got it done.

“This is the best I’ve ever felt in my entire life,” guard Landen Northrop said. “It means so much. The whole city is here to support us. I wouldn’t have dreamed it any other way.”

It felt early on like Richland might run away with it, but Gonzaga Prep didn’t go away. The Bullpups cut the lead to five on several occasions in the second half.

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“They’re a really good team,” Northrop said. “We knew that going in. They’re phenomenal. They’re really good on defense, we knew that going in. We were gonna have to make our shots, go inside and get fouled.”

CONTROVERSY IN FOURTH QUARTER

The fourth quarter brought controversy. With under three minutes to play, Gonzaga Prep forward Dylynn Groves exited the game with an injury. When he was replaced during a timeout, the substituting player never checked in at the scorer’s table.

Richland coach Earl Streufert brought the infraction to the attention of the officials, then informed the officiating crew Richland would be playing the remainder of the game under protest. After a long delay involving the game’s three officials and multiple WIAA event staffers near the scorer’s table, a technical foul was issued for the illegal substitution.

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Richland’s Northrop sank both free throws, then was fouled in the act of shooting after Richland got the ball back and made two more free throws, giving the Bombers a four-point swing and a 56-46 lead with two minutes, five seconds left in the game.

“I just didn’t think it was a legal substitution, but I don’t want that to mar a great game from G-Prep,” Streufert said. “Stuff like that happens. It’s happened to me before. Really, it’s a technical thing, but you know what, we’re playing for a state championship. Do what you gotta do.”

Gonzaga Prep coach Matty McIntyre said since no play had occurred after the timeout, he asked the officials if he could use another timeout so his player could legally check in.

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“They decided it was a technical,” he said. “It’s a hard way for a championship game to end, but hey, there’s a lot of possessions in the game and credit goes to Richland.”

A PARTY COMING TO RICHLAND

Would it have mattered? It’s impossible to know, but Richland had a six-point lead at the time of the technical and had led the entire game, with answers for every one of Gonzaga Prep’s runs.

Guard Lance Horntvedt scored 24 points for the Bombers, Northrop scored 17 and Josiah Scacco scored 12. Scacco, not one of the team’s usual top scorers, made several clutch shots in the third quarter when Richland’s offense was stalling.

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“I just wanted to give my all for them, grind it out, play my defense and hit a few buckets while I’m at it,” he said.

Gonzaga Prep guard Jack Pierce scored 24 points for the Bullpups in the loss.

It’s the first state title for Streufert, who is in his 27th season coaching the Bombers. He has led Richland to 13 state tournament appearances.

“We put ourselves in a position with homegrown guys,” he said. “Really since 2014, we’ve been knocking on the door and it’s just been a wonderful thing for our community, for our players.”

It should be a fun bus ride back east. A party awaits.

“It might get crazy,” Scacco said, smiling. “The whole community was waiting for this one.”