Clatskanie remains unbeaten to open season

The Clatskanie Tigers varsity basketball team continued its unbeaten season with a pair of victories over Rainier and Waldport. The first victory came Tuesday, Dec. 16 in Rainier, as the Tigers defeated the Columbians 47-36. With the score tied 8-8 going into the second quarter, Clatskanie outscored Rainier 18-13 in the second to take a five-point lead into the half. The Tigers outscored the Columbians 21-15 in the second half to hold on for their fourth victory of the season. Senior Zach Mollenhour led the team in scoring with 23 points. Mollenhour had a team-high eight steals and added eight rebounds in the effort. Junior Michael Simpson led the team in both assists with four and rebounds with eight. The junior also scored six points and had two steals to complete his stats for the night. Sophomore Will Van Voorst managed two steals of his own to go along with his five points scored. Sophomore Gunner Engen had a well-rounded offensive and defensive day as well, scoring five points, grabbing six rebounds, dishing two assists, and finishing it all off with three steals.

Monday, Dec. 22, the Tigers made it 5-0 to start the season with a 54-19 win over Waldport. Van Voorst and Engen scored 15 points each to lead the team. Van Voorst's seven rebounds and Engen's six assists led the team as well. Sophomore Landyn Winton had a team-high five steals to go along with his four points, and Simpson had double-digit scoring with 12 points to go along with six rebounds, a steal, and a block. Senior Ayden Blackshire grabbed five rebounds while gathering a single assist, steal, and block, and Winton and senior Bode Shulda scored four points each.

The Tigers (5-0) took on Rogue River Tuesday, Dec. 23, but the results of the game were not available at the time of press. Following the weekend, Clatskanie will take to the road Monday, Dec. 29, to take on Willamina. On Tuesday, Dec. 30, they will travel to Castle Rock. The team will then travel to Riverdale on Friday, Jan. 2, to take on the Mavericks.