Clatskanie girls gain split after double overtime loss

The Clatskanie varsity girls basketball team started its weekend with a grueling, double-overtime 61-59 loss last Friday, Jan. 23, at Knappa. The score was 19-18 Knappa going into halftime, but the Loggers pulled ahead by six entering the fourth. Outscoring Knappa 15-9 in the fourth, Clatskanie forced what would be the first of two overtimes. Both teams scored 11 points to force yet another extra frame, but Knappa outscored Clatskanie 7-5 in the second overtime to secure the win. The 21 points Knappa scored off of Clatskanie turnovers haunted the Tigers. Still playing with a limited roster, Clatskanie was led by senior Joey Sizemore's 27 points, 14 rebounds, and seven assists. Junior Olivia George, as well as McKinsey Doyle, led the team in steals with three each. George also had 20 points and 11 rebounds to complete the double-double. Junior Lacey Willis scored seven points, pulled down nine rebounds, and had a team-leading two blocks.

The Tigers rebounded in a big way on Monday, Jan. 26, with a commanding 53-31 win over Columbia Christian. Jumping on the Knights 11-4 to end the first quarter, the Tigers outscored their opponent 21-9 in the second to take a seemingly insurmountable 32-13 lead into halftime. Columbia Christian showed a little more fight in the third with their 13 points, but they were still outmatched by Clatskanie, which extended the lead to 22. A quiet fourth quarter during which the teams scored only five points each brought the final result. Playing with a couple more players to bolster the roster and give more rest to the starters, the Tigers were led by Sizemore's 22 points, 14 rebounds, five assists and lone block. Willis led the team in rebounds with 15 and steals with three. The junior also added 13 points to complete the double-double. George also scored in double digits with 13 points, while pulling down four rebounds and grabbing two steals.

Clatskanie (11-5) took on Portland Christian on Wednesday, Jan. 28, but the results of the game were not available at the time of press. The Tigers will travel to Vernonia Saturday, Jan. 31, to take on the Loggers at 2:30 p.m. They will then travel to Nestucca on Tuesday, Feb. 3, to take on the Bobcats, before returning home Friday, Feb. 6, to take on Aloha's Faith Bible Christian at 6 p.m.