Columbia basketball roundup: Bruin boys experience dramatic turnaround, win five straight

The Bruins got off to a good start last week with a 61-51 non-league home win Dec. 9 over the Class 2A Woodland High Beavers (1-4) at Columbia High School in White Salmon. In a close, evenly played matchup, it was knotted 16-16 after one quarter and it was tied 33-33 at halftime. The Bruins led 43-41 after three quarters and then took control of the game in the fourth, outscoring the Beavers 18-10 to get the double-digit victory.

Columbia was led by junior Mason Hamilton, who had an outstanding performance with 29 points, 13 rebounds, seven assists and five steals. Senior Bryce Wang had 14 points, four rebounds and three steals. The Bruins had a total of 20 steals.

Playing on back-to-back days, the Bruins followed with a 73-62 non-league win Dec. 10 over the Class 2B Goldendale High Timberwolves (2-2) in Goldendale.

The Bruins, guided by second-year Coach Brady Trullinger, were seeking a sixth straight win Tuesday when they opened their 14-game Trico League schedule with a road game against the King’s Way Christian High Knights (4-0) in Vancouver. The Bruins play their next game Thursday at 7 p.m. in a Trico League road game versus the Kalama High Chinooks (2-1).

“We’ve had a very positive start to the season for the team and getting wins over a couple of Class 2A teams was really an impressive accomplishment for our guys too,” said Trullinger.

Bruin girls lose two

The Columbia High Bruins played two very solid non-league opponents last week in WIAA Class 1A girls basketball and they came up short in both road games.

The Bruins lost 73-30 to the Columbia River High Rapids (3-1), of the Class 2A Greater St. Helens League in Vancouver on Dec. 9, snapping their three-game win streak. The Bruins had a rough start in falling behind 18-11 after the first quarter and they trailed 29-16 at halftime. The Bruins were outscored 44-14 in the second half and their 30 points represented a season low point total.

The Bruins were led in scoring by junior Halle Koch (11 points). Sophomore Taniah Barajas (seven points), junior Joella Posini (six points), junior Sara Miller (four points), senior Sheyenne Antis (four points) and sophomore Kiera Bucher (three points) also helped contribute to the Bruins offense.

The Bruins faced the defending OSAA Class 3A state champion Corbett High Cardinals (2-2) Dec. 12 and they lost 59-35 at Corbett High School.

The Bruins will be seeking to get a win when they open their 14-game Trico League schedule with a 7 p.m. home match-up Wednesday versus the King’s Way Christian High Knights (3-1). The Bruins follow with a 7 p.m. home contest Friday versus the Kalama High Chinooks (0-2).