Tigers remain undefeated to begin season

The Clatskanie Tigers varsity boys basketball team continued its perfect start to the 2025-2026 season by taking care of Gervais 56-51 on Tuesday, Dec. 9. Though Gervais outscored Clatskanie in both the opening and closing quarters of the game, Clatskanie had a strong third period to pull away from what was a tie game going into halftime. Though outrebounded 31-28 by the Cougars, the Tigers outmatched their opponent in assists (18-10), steals (14-9), blocks (4-3), transition points (16-10), and field-goal percentage (42-39).

Junior Michael Simpson led the Tigers in scoring with 16 points, rebounds with nine, and co-led the team in blocks with two. Junior Gunner Engen, who also had two blocks, led the team in assists with eight and steals with three. Sophomore Will Van Voorst and senior Ayden Blackshire scored eight points each, and Van Voorst added seven rebounds and two steals of his own in the victory. Other noteworthy performances from Tuesday are Van Voorst going 2-2 from behind the three-point line, and senior Quinten Combs going 3-4 from the free-throw line.

Clatskanie (3-0) traveled to Rainier Tuesday, but the results of the game were not available at the time of press. The Tigers return home Thursday to take on Colton and will face Waldport Monday, Dec. 22 at 3 p.m. and Rogue River Tuesday, Dec. 23 at noon.