Tigers drop two in a row

The Clatskanie Tigers varsity boys basketball team suffered two losses last week, with the first being a blowout and the second being a nail biter. On Friday, Jan. 23, the Tigers were blown out 60-38 by the Knappa Loggers. Knappa more than doubled Clatskanie on the scoreboard in the first quarter, and tripled their output in the second for a 26-10 lead at halftime. The second half didn't go much better for Clatskanie, as the Tigers trailed the Loggers 43-19 entering the fourth. While Clatskanie would match their three-quarter total of 19 in the fourth quarter alone, Knappa scored 17 to maintain the lengthy lead and defeat their visitors by the 20-plus point margin. Transition-wise, the Loggers outscored the Tigers 10-2, and pummeled them with 16 second-chance points throughout the game. Clatskanie only managed six second-chance points. The Tigers were led in scoring by junior Michael Simpson and senior Zach Mollenhour, who had 11 points each. Simpson co-led the team in rebounds with five, along with sophomore Will Van Voorst. Simpson's lone block of the game led the team as well, and Van Voorst contributed six points. Junior Gunner Engen led the team in steals with two and assists with four.

The boys returned home Monday, Jan. 26, to take on Columbia Christian but fell 47-45. Falling in a 19-12 hole going into halftime, the Tigers outscored the Knights 33-28 in the second half. Still, the halftime deficit proved too much as Clatskanie came up just two points short. Though the Tigers led the two clubs with nine transition points, the six second-chance points for the Knights to the Tigers' two proved detrimental. Mollenhour led the Tigers with 19 points, and Van Voorst led the team with eight rebounds. Sophomore Landyn Winton led the Tigers in assists with five and steals with three, while Simpson led the team with two blocks to go along with his five points and seven rebounds. Engen had seven rebounds and 14 points in the losing effort.

Clatskanie (12-7) hosted 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, before traveling to Nestucca Tuesday, Feb. 3. The boys return home Friday, Feb. 6 to face Aloha's Faith Bible Christian at 7:30 p.m. inside the Clatskanie gym.