Clatskanie suffers two close losses on the road

The Clatskanie High School boys basketball team had a couple of close losses on the road this week, falling 30-29 at Vernonia last Friday, Jan. 10 and coming up two points short to Nestucca in Cloverdale on Monday, Jan. 13.

The boys took a 16-12 lead into halftime against Vernonia, but the Loggers were able to even the score in the third quarter. With the score tied at 22 going into the final frame, Vernonia outscored Clatskanie 8-7 down the stretch to secure the win. The Tigers were led in scoring by sophomore Michael Simpson, who had eight points, going 2 for 12 from the field and 4 for 8 from the free-throw line. Simpson also led the team in rebounds with 10. Sophomore Gunner Engen scored seven points and pulled down seven rebounds for Clatskanie. Junior Zack Mollenhour, though only scoring two points, led the team in assists with four, steals with four, and blocks with two. Mollenhour also managed to pull down six boards in the defeat.

The boys had a slim 20-18 lead going into halftime Monday versus Nestucca, but were outscored 11-6 in the third quarter and trailed the Bobcats 29-26 going into the fourth. Though outscoring Nestucca in the final frame, the Tigers still ended up two points shy and fell 41-39. Clatskanie was led in scoring by freshman Will Van Voorst, who had 12 points to go along with three rebounds, an assist, a steal, and a block. Simpson led the team in rebounds with 11, steals with four, and blocks with three. The sophomore was also able to add six points in the losing effort for Clatskanie. Engen was second in both scoring with nine points and rebounds with eight boards.

The team will travel to Gaston on Friday, Jan. 17 before returning home Tuesday, Jan. 21 to take on Knappa High School of Astoria.