Clatskanie boys end season on high note

The Clatskanie High School boys basketball team ended its season by beating Portland’s Columbia Christian 48-39 at home Monday night. Taking a narrow, three-point lead into halftime, the Tigers outscored the Knights 20-14 over the third and fourth quarters to seal the team’s seventh overall victory of the season. Clatskanie was led in scoring by senior Brendan Shroll, who had 12 points on 5 of 17 shooting in his final game as a Tiger. Shroll completed an unusual double double - at least category wise - by managing 10 steals. Fellow senior Ryder Gorley scored nine points to go along with three steals, and sophomore Michael Simpson led the team with five blocks. Will Van Voorst completed his impressive freshman campaign by leading the team with 13 rebounds, scoring seven points, and dishing out two assists. Sophomore Gunner Engen led the Tigers with five assists to go along with his six rebounds, two steals, and five points.

The win came on the heels of last Friday’s 58-37 loss to Aloha’s Faith Bible Christian. The Tiger’s were led in scoring by junior Zack Mollenhour, who scored nine points on 3 of 10 shooting from the field. Mollenhour also led the team in steals with four. Simpson and junior Bode Shulda led the team in rebounds with five apiece, while Engen and Van Voorst had three assists each to lead Clatskanie. Friday’s loss was the third straight for the Tigers (7-21), who also saw, four-, five-, and six-game losing streaks during the season. “We had our ups and downs,” said Coach Deshaun Combs. “Some things to fix this offseason, and next year should be a little different… I’m excited for our young guys growing up a little. Should be fun.”