Clatskanie girls have yet another split

The Clatskanie girls varsity basketball team rebounded from the season's first loss against Central Linn with a home victory over Gervais on Tuesday, Dec. 9. Jumping out to a 25-9 lead to end the first quarter, the Tigers still nearly had double the points of the visiting Cougars at halftime. The gap grew all the larger for Clatskanie, as they outscored Gervais 14-2 in the third quarter to take a 51-20 lead going into the final frame. While the Tigers only managed two points in the fourth, so did the Cougars, resulting in a 53-22 final score. Junior Lacey Willis led the team in points with 26, while senior Joey Sizemore led in rebounds with 10, assists with seven, and both blocked shots and steals with five each. Junior Olivia George scored eight points, pulled down eight rebounds, dished out three assists, and swiped the ball three times from Gervais. Willis also added eight rebounds, four steals, and two assists, while senior Bethany Hagen managed three points in the contest. Junior Payton Taylor also contributed two points in the win for the Tigers.

The following night, Clatskanie traveled to Turner to take on Crosshill Christian. Though leading 8-6 entering the second quarter, the Tigers would find themselves trailing the Eagles 25-17 going into halftime. Crosshill Christian increased Clatskanie's deficit two points in the third, leaving their visitors in a double-digit hole to start the fourth. Clatskanie could only erase one point off of Crosshill Christian's lead in the final frame, ultimately losing by a score of 49-40. The two real killers for the Tigers were points off of turnovers and transition points. Crosshill Christian held a 25-7 advantage in points off of turnovers and 18-0 advantage in transition points. Crosshill Christian also held a "points in the paint" differential of +14 over Clatskanie.

Sizemore led all Tigers in scoring with 11 points, followed by 10 points each from George and Taylor. George led the girls in rebounds with 10 to complete the double double. Sizemore also led the team in both assists and blocks with five and two respectively. Junior McKinsey Doyle and George co-led the team in steals with two apiece.

Clatskanie (2-2) traveled to Rainier Tuesday, Dec. 16, to take on the Columbians, but the results of the game were not available at the time of press. The team returns home to take on Colton Thursday, Dec. 18, at 6 p.m., and will host Waldport Monday, Dec. 22., at 1:30 p.m.