Tigers off to 2-0 start for season

The Clatskanie Tigers varsity boys basketball team opened its 2025-2026 season last week by defeating both Warrenton and Central Linn. Outscoring the Warriors in every quarter but one, Clatskanie defeated Warrenton 56-45 last Wednesday in the season opener. Junior Michael Simpson led the team in points with 33, rebounds with 11, and blocks with two. Junior Gunner Engen led the Tigers in assists with eight, while sophomore Will Van Voorst had six steals to lead the team. Dominating in nearly every offensive and defensive category, including field goals made, offensive/defensive rebounds, assists, and steals the Tigers opened the game with a lead it would not relinquish the rest of the way.

The Tigers would gain another victory Friday versus Central Linn, defeating the Cobras 61-29. A slow first quarter by both teams had the game tied 5-5 going into the second, but Clatskanie would have a 23-10 lead by halftime. Clatskanie's lead would become more insurmountable for Central Linn by the end of the third quarter with the Tigers more than doubling up on the Cobras 44-20. Outscoring their visitors 17-9 in the fourth quarter, the Tigers ended up hammering the Cobras 61-29.

Engen led the team in scoring with 18 points, followed closely behind by 17 from Simpson. Also scoring in double digits was senior Zach Mollenhour. Seniors Ayden Blackshire and Braiden Roden each added four points. Rounding out the scoring for Clatskanie was senior Bode Shulda with three points, and senior Daylon Gutierrez and sophomore Landyn Winton with two points each.

The Tigers (2-0) hosted Gervais on Tuesday, but the results of the game were not available at the time of press. Clatskanie will then travel to Rainier next Tuesday, Dec. 16, before returning home Thursday, Dec. 18, to take on Colton at 7:30 p.m. inside the Clatskanie Middle High School gymnasium.