The last time Renton High School’s basketball team went and played Auburn was in 2013, and that season, the Redhawks were coming off a fifth-in-state performance against a team in Auburn that was also coming off a state appearance.
But 12 years later, the Trojans and now Redhawks went to battle with both programs looking to learn something about their squads early in the 2025-26 season. Auburn would walk away winners, 87-74, on Nov. 28, but Renton showed promise that they can compete with the best teams in the state.
Renton had not a down year in 2024-25, but a year that saw a lot of trial and error. Renton lost eight of their first nine games of the season and eventually lost to Foster in the District 2 tournament championship game, and were eliminated from the state tournament by Columbia River.
This year’s Renton team returned a lot of talent, and starters like Jalen Taylor were on full display against 4A powerhouse Auburn in the first game of the year. Taylor ended the night with 20 points and helped get Renton out of the gates hot.
”Jalen is going to give you everything he has every time. He’s not the most athletic, explosive, talented or most skilled guy. But he’s a hard worker and has enough. He’s going to give you what he has and he’s a leader. You just gotta keep him on the floor. I look for that continued leadership building off last year,” Head Coach Rashaad Powell said.
Along with junior Juice White-Kelly, Taylor got Renton out to a quick 8-0 lead over the Trojans, in their own house, in Renton’s first game of the season. In White-Kelley’s case, he made his first four shots of the game and had a total of eight first quarter points.
Senior Isaac Elegan also made an impact early and was possibly the number two option behind Taylor against the Trojans. He finished with 18 points and made some timely three point shots.
Isaac Elegan drives to the basket against Auburn High School. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Unfortunately for White-Kelley, he would foul out in the first minute of the second half and would really be missed down the stretch for Renton.
The hot start saw Renton shock Auburn and lead 25-22 at the end of the first quarter, and the Bob Jones Gymnasium had an awkward murmur going around as Renton had all the momentum early.
Auburn continued to not only put White-Kelley in foul trouble, but a couple of other Renton players were in foul trouble early as well. That aided Auburn’s comeback as the Trojans outscored Renton 20-12 in the second quarter to take a 42-37 lead into halftime.
Adan Abdi made his freshman debut for Renton and in one of the toughest environments against one of the toughest teams on the Redhawks’ schedule (Rainier Beach is probably number one).
The Redhawk youngster was a thorn in the Auburn side all night.
“You’re gonna keep hearing about that kid for years to come, he’s a special kid. If you came into practice at any point in time and watched how he orchestrated and talking to guys. Leading and directing, telling guys where to go and picking up energy, you would think he’s a junior or senior. But he hadn’t played a second of high school basketball. He’s a leader, that’s who he is. He has an infectious energy,” Powell said.
In the second half, Renton could never quite catch the fire they had to start the game. Auburn started the settle in and really put pressure on the Redhawks’ defense with players like Isaiah Englund and Miles Henry finding some space, partnering with some turnovers and missed opportunities by the Redhawks.
“It’s inspiring and uplifting to know we can have that kind of game against this caliber of team and be in the game,” Powell said.
Adan Abdi dribbles the ball and impressed early in his high school debut. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Renton went into the fourth quarter down 13, with Auburn in front comfortably. On a Taylor three-pointer, one of his three in the game, Renton cut the lead to 10 with 5:25 left in the game. But that deficit would stay at double digits the remainder of the game as Auburn got 9 fourth quarter points from sophomore Rainier Denoso.
Despite the loss, Renton showed something Friday night. Auburn has only given up 74 points or more three times since 2021. The most recent was in 2023 against Rolling Hills Prep (CA) and the last team from Washington was in 2021 in a win against O’Dea. That’s rare air against one of the best teams in the state.
“I’ve been preaching and telling them we can do these things, it’s just the little things. Our coaching staff reiterated it at half time and the end of the game. It’s not the big things, it’s the little things. Taking care of the ball, attention to detail, rotating and taking charges and minimizing those second opportunities for teams. If we do those day-by-day, we’ll end up being a pretty good team,” Powell said.
As hard as it is to believe, the schedule doesn’t get any easier for Renton. The Redhawks take on Sultan on Dec. 1 at the start of a five day streak of games. Not only do the Redhawks follow Sultan with Skyline, but also play the No. 1 recruit in the country in Tyron Stokes and Rainier Beach, and follow that game up with games against Palm Springs HS (CA) and Oakland (CA).
