Portland Christian halts Clatskanie boys' two-game win streak

The Clatskanie boys basketball team had its most decisive win of the year at home last Friday, Jan. 3, throttling Willamina 62-20. The win was the second in a row for the Tigers, who went into halftime with a commanding 43-9 lead. Clatskanie outscored the Bulldogs over the third and fourth quarters as well in the lopsided victory. Sophomore Gunner Engen led all scorers - including the collective Willamina team - with 22 points on 7 for 18 shooting from the field. Engen also led the team in assists with four and co-led in steals alongside freshman Will Van Voorst with three each. Van Voorst and junior Luke Andreasen each had five rebounds to lead the Tigers.

The two-game win streak would come to an end Tuesday night at home against Portland Christian, as the Tigers fell 73-24 to the Royals. Junior Michael Simpson led the Tigers in scoring with nine points and rebounds with five. Freshman Landyn Winton led the team in steals with three and had the lone assist on the night for the offense. Engen led the team in blocks with two. A 47-10 deficit going into halftime doomed the Tigers, who were outscored 26-14 in the second half by a Portland Christian team that forced 27 turnovers on the night.

The Tigers (3-8) will travel to Vernonia Friday, Jan. 10 to take on the Loggers and then to Cloverdale Monday, Jan. 13 to face the Nestucca Bobcats before returning home to face Aloha's Faith Bible Christian Wednesday, Jan. 15 inside the Clatskanie High School gym.