The Columbia River boys basketball team is shorter than in recent years.
And skinnier.
And slower.
But that doesn’t mean the Chieftains aren’t dangerous.
Friday, Columbia River continued its quest for a third consecutive district title with a 63-42 home win over Hudson’s Bay.
Instead relying on athleticism, River has used passing, shot selection and defense to win its first two 3A Greater St. Helens League games.
“They’re very unselfish because they have to be,” Chieftains coach David Long said. “You didn’t see a college coach in the gym tonight, but we have a lot of really nice high school players. They win as a group. I’m really proud of how they’re winning games.”
River might be shorter, but Hudson’s Bay is just plain short-handed. Due to injuries and suspensions, the Eagles had only seven varsity players Friday.
The Eagles (0-2) simply ran out of gas. They were outscored 37-16 in the second half.
“We’re giving full energy that first sixteen minutes,” Hudson’s Bay coach Robert Key said. “Then in the third and fourth, I could see the fatigue in us.”
Nine players scored for Columbia River, none more than Torey Jones. The 6-foot-4 senior forward had 21 points, many on slashing drives to the hoop.
“Going into this game I just wanted to be more aggressive,” Jones said. “I had a couple of off games. I wanted to be strong going to the hole.”
Hudson’s Bay played an aggressive style of defense that kept River in check early. The first quarter saw the teams combine for 10 turnovers against only four field goals.
The Eagles used an 8-0 run to pull even at 18 with 2:37 left in the first half. But River ended the half on an 8-2 run.
“We were really struggling running our sets because of the physical defense they played,” Long said. “In that first half, that’s as well as we’ve been defended all year.”
The Chieftains took control by shooting 8-for-11 from the field in the third quarter. Hudson’s Bay only scored once on its final 10 possessions of the quarter.
Once River extended its lead to double digits, it never looked back.
“We pride ourselves on defense,” Jones said. “That’s what is going to take us far.”
Tyler Barton, a 6-foot-4 junior, led Hudson’s Bay with 21 points.
Key said the Eagles roster will be closer to full strength by next week.
“With the guys coming back, that will take some pressure off so (Barton) won’t have to score as much,” Key said. “I don’t want people thinking we’re a one-man wrecking crew.”
Columbia River won’t be a one-man wrecking crew this season. But it showed Friday that a collection of talent can be quite effective.
COLUMBIA RIVER 63, HUDSON’S BAY 42
HUDSON’S BAY — David Ponomerav 3, Cody McPoland 2, Tad Kieswether 0, Tyler Barton 21, Ayrrius Presley 7, DeWayne Whitley 9, Daegan Carter 0. Totals 14 (5) 9-14 42.
COLUMBIA RIVER — Nathan Hawthorne 6, Joey Bean 6, Andrew Vickers 8, Sam Walker 8, Torey Jones 21, Spencer Long 3, Chad Pedigo 6, Jordan Hall 2, Alex Hansen 3, Jeff Yingling 0. Totals 24 (3) 12-15 63.
H. Bay 6 14 8 14–42
C. River 10 16 19 18–63
JV — River 53-35, C — River 38-25.
