WHITE SALMON — The Columbia High Bruins lost two straight WIAA (Washington Interscholastic Activities Association) Class 1A Trico boys basketball games last week and they dropped to sixth place in the eight-team standings with two games remaining on the schedule. The Bruins (4-8 league, 9-8 overall) lost 90-61 to the No. 5-ranked Seton Catholic High Cougars (11-0 league, 12-5 overall) on Jan. 29 in Vancouver, snapping their two-game win streak. The Bruins followed with an 87-76 home loss Jan. 31 to the No. 10-ranked Fort Vancouver High Trappers (10-2 league, 15-3 overall).

The Bruins took a 2-0 lead before any time expired off the clock after Columbia was awarded a pair of free throws on a Trapper technical foul for dunking during warmups. Columbia junior Mason Hamilton sank the two from the line. Two early ties followed, with the final deadlock at 7-7. The Trappers took a 9-7 advantage midway through the opening quarter, and they led 20-15 at the conclusion of the quarter. The Trappers outscored the Bruins 21-12 in the second to build a 41-27 halftime margin. The Bruins were hoping to get a win versus the Castle Rock High Rockets (5-7 league, 10-8 overall) in Tuesday’s Senior Night home game in White Salmon. The Bruins conclude the season with a 7 p.m. Gorge rivalry road matchup Friday against the Stevenson High Bulldogs (1-11 league, 2-17 overall).