Tigers end two-game skid with win

The Clatskanie Tigers varsity boys basketball team opened its season with a 6-0 record. Beginning a five-game road trip on Mon, Dec. 29, Clatskanie fell 60-41 to Willamina. The next night, host Castle Rock would make it two straight losses for the Tigers, beating them 67-51. Leading the Tigers 18-12 to conclude the first quarter, Castle Rock outscored Clatskanie 25-5 in the second to take a commanding 43-17 lead at halftime. Clatskanie would respond in the third, outscoring Castle Rock 27-9 to pull within eight points entering the final frame. The Rockets would outscore the Tigers 15-7 in the fourth to secure the 16-point victory. The Tigers were led by senior Zach Mollenhour, who scored 18 points, followed by 13 each by juniors Gunner Engen and Mike Simpson. Seniors Bode Shulda and Ayden Blackshire and sophomore Will Van Voorst had two points each in the loss, while sophomore Landyn Winton had a point from the free-throw line. Winton led the team in assists with three, while Engen’s five steals and Blackshire’s two blocks were good enough for team highs as well.

The Tigers were able to ring in the new year with a decisive 63-40 win Friday, Jan. 2, over Riverdale, stopping their two-game skid. The Tigers outscored the Mavericks in each quarter but the last, taking a 34-18 lead into halftime and a 52-27 lead into the final frame. This time, Clatskanie had three double-digit scorers, starting with 19 from Engen. Van Voorst followed with 15 points, while Simpson added 14 of his own. Mollenhour had eight points, while Blackshire and Winton had five and two respectively to round out the scoring. Simpson’s 13 rebounds, as well as 12 from Van Voorst, secured the team’s two double doubles. Van Voorst and Simpson, along with Engen, led the team in steals with four each, while Engen led in assists.

The Tigers (7-2) traveled to Columbia Christian Tuesday, Jan. 6, but the results of the game were not available at the time of press. The boys travel to Portland Christian Friday, Jan. 9, to complete the road trip. They return home to take on Vernonia Monday, Jan. 12, at 7:30 p.m.