LONGVIEW — A season defined by firsts has R.A. Long High School’s boys’ basketball team closing out February with a realistic shot at what has so far eluded the program: a state championship.

According to reporting by KOIN, guard Josh Crane — named the Greater St. Helens League’s Most Valuable Player — summed up the team’s mindset with a line that has circulated quickly among supporters: “Rankings lie, numbers lie, but the work doesn’t.”

Publicly available league records confirm that the Lumberjacks have been on a dominant run since mid‑January, a stretch that secured them a strong postseason position and placed them among the most competitive 2A teams in Washington. Their run places Longview squarely in the statewide basketball spotlight at a time when most programs are fighting simply to stay alive in the bracket.

R.A. Long’s current push reflects a broader surge in Southwest Washington high school athletics, where several programs have recently made deep playoff appearances across multiple sports. But for the Lumberjacks, the possibility of claiming the school’s first boys’ basketball state title offers both a historic opportunity and a moment of pride for a community long invested in its youth programs.

Local families, alumni, and students have packed gyms throughout the season, a turnout that school officials have described in public comments as the most energized in years. While the state tournament field can shift quickly, the team’s consistency — and its ability to close tightly contested games — has become a defining theme of the year.

As of late February 2026, state tournament matchups remain in flux, but the Lumberjacks are poised to enter with momentum and a clear sense of identity shaped by disciplined defense, tempo control, and a roster that blends veteran leadership with younger contributors.

For Longview, a title run would not only mark a milestone for the school but also energize a region that has rallied around its athletes during a year of renewed emphasis on student activities and community engagement.

Why this matters

R.A. Long’s postseason trajectory is more than a sports story; it aligns with a broader community conversation about local youth investment, school pride, and the role athletics play in connecting residents across generations. A strong state tournament showing would reinforce the impact that well-supported public programs can have in smaller cities along the I‑5 corridor.