Ahead of the third annual The Dalles Winter Classic scheduled for Feb. 23-24, the Columbia Gorge Basketball Academy is riding a stretch of successful opening finishes at last month’s Gorge Hoops Invitational.

In their past nine games, the Columbia Gorge Basketball Academy sixth graders have had a torrid unbeaten streak with back-to-back tournament championships, capped by a 4-0 performance at the Hillsboro Tournament last weekend at Century high School.

Program attracted more than 40 athletes this winter season