A bad night for Columbia River led to the end of the Chieftains’ 23-game league winning streak.
Blake Hampton had 16 points and Nate Solomon added 13 as Kelso beat River 58-53 in boys basketball on Wednesday.
“They outplayed us, and we struggled,” River coach David Long said of the Hilanders. “I felt like we weren’t prepared and didn’t expect that kind of performance from Kelso.”
Kelso led 40-28 after three quarters but the Chieftains got with three points in the final seconds when the Hilanders missed the front end of a 1-and-1.
“But we didn’t box out properly and the ball literally bounced in the middle of the key and the shooter got the rebound,” Long said. “That’s the kind of night it was for us.”
Jacob Hjort had 16 points and Joey Bean and Spencer Long added 13 each for River, which is now tied with Kelso atop the 3A GSHL at 2-1. The loss snapped a five-game winning streak for the Chieftains dating back to Dec. 30.
“There are no nights off in this league, even though it is so small,” David Long said. “Everyone is good. Tonight was Kelso’s night and not ours.”
KELSO 58, COLUMBIA RIVER 53
KELSO — Mike Pierce 5, Blake Hampton 16, Xavier Parker-Mendez 6, Nate Solomon 13, Jared Bowlby 6, Zach Groves 2, Quinton McDaniel 0, Zak Schueller 4, Hunter Hartley 0. Totals 16 6 8-10 00.
COLUMBIA RIVER — Nathan Hawthorne 8, Joey Bean 13, Andrew Vickers 3, Vincent Daniels 0, Jacob Hjort 16, Spencer Long 13, Christian Stromme 0, Grant Turner 0, Jordan Hall 0. Totals 12 9 2-5 00.
Kelso 17 13 10 18—58
C. River 14 9 5 25—53
JV — Columbia River 54-39; C — Columbia River 49-39
