Clatskanie suffers first defeat of season

The Clatskanie High School varsity boys basketball team saw its perfect season come to an end Monday night with a 60-41 road loss to Willamina. The Bulldogs set the tone early, outscoring the Tigers 16-7 in the first quarter. Willamina would extend its lead in the second quarter, going into halftime with over double the score of Clatskanie. Outscoring their visitors 27-25 in the second half, the 3-4 Bulldogs handed the Tigers their first defeat of the season. Leading the scoring for Clatskanie was senior Zach Mollenhour, who managed 16 points. Junior Michael Simpson also had double-digit scoring for the Tigers with his 13 points. Junior Gunner Engen added eight points, while sophomore Will Van Voorst contributed a bucket.

The Tigers’ first loss followed its 71-50 whooping of visiting Rogue River on Tuesday, Dec. 23. Outscoring the Chieftains in all four quarters, the Tigers were led by Mollenhour, who had 18 points, six assists, and three steals. Adding another 14 points, Engen led the team in both rebounds and assists with eight and seven respectively. Engen also managed three steals. Simpson led the team with four blocks, but he also added nine points, seven rebounds, two assists, and two steals. Other notable efforts for the Tigers included senior Ayden Blackshire’s eight points and six rebounds; senior Bode Shulda’s six points and three assists; Van Voorsts’ six points, six rebounds, and four assists; and sophomore Landyn Winton’s five points and three steals.

The Tigers (6-1) took on Castle Rock Tuesday, Dec. 30, but the results weren’t available at the time of press. The boys travel to Riverdale Friday, Jan. 2, before taking on Columbia Christian on Tuesday, Jan. 6, and will conclude their road trip next Friday, Jan. 9, at Portland Christian. The Tigers will return home Monday, Jan. 12, to take on Vernonia at 7:30 p.m. inside the Clatskanie gym.