Nestucca halts Clatskanie Tigers win streak at six

The Clatskanie High School girls basketball team saw its season-high, six-game winning streak come to an end in Cloverdale Monday night, falling 29-28 to Nestucca. The tone for a defensive battle was set early, as the teams scored a combined 17 points in the first half. Picking up the pace a bit in the third, Nestucca took a 21-20 lead into the fourth they were able to retain down the stretch for the one-point victory. Junior Joey Sizemore led the team in scoring with 10 points to go along with a team-leading 17 rebounds and two blocks. Sizemore also added three assists and three steals in the loss. Sophomore Olivia George led the Tigers with five steals to go along with her seven rebounds, and sophomore Lacey Willis led Clatskanie in assists with four.

“We had many opportunities to win the game,” said Coach Dawn Warren following the loss. “The girls moved the ball around in their offense and got great looks, but their shots weren’t falling. What really killed us was our free throws. When shots aren’t falling, free points at the line are absolutely crucial. If we had just made half of our free throws, the game’s momentum would have swung in our direction. Free throws cost us a win. Fortunately, this can be remedied. We are using this close loss as a learning (and) growth opportunity and are moving on and looking ahead to the next few games.

Monday’s loss followed a grueling 43-41 overtime win last Friday, Jan. 10 in Vernonia, which brought the consecutive win streak to six. The girls were led in scoring by Sizemore and George, who had 13 points each. Sizemore also pulled down a team-high 12 rebounds and co-led the team in steals with George, as the pair managed three apiece. Willis, who led the team in assists with seven, also managed eight points for the Tigers. Sizemore and Willis led the team in blocks with one each in the overtime win. The girls will travel to Gaston Friday, Jan. 17 to take on the Greyhounds.