Bruin boys drop two Trico games

WHITE SALMON — The Columbia High Bruins played well in two WIAA Class 1A Trico League boys basketball games last week, but they fell a little short, losing both games by single-digit margins.

The Bruins (2-8 Trico, 4-12 overall) lost a Jan. 21 road game, 66-62, to the Kalama High Chinooks (7-3 Trico, 11-6 overall). Two days later at home, the Bruins had another close match-up, losing 80-72 to the La Center High Wildcats (8-2 Trico, 11-6 overall), extending their losing streak to three. The Bruins have lost four league games by single-digit margins.

Senior Hunter Wang played an exceptional game against La Center, scoring 27 points before fouling out with 23 seconds remaining. Just prior, Wang had made two free throws to pull the Bruins within 75-72. La Center made five of six free throws to seal the win.

Columbia’s Caleb Reynolds added 13 points for the Bruins, and teammate Aidan Hainline scored 11.

The Bruins are hoping to snap their streak 7 p.m. Jan. 28 versus the Seton Catholic High Cougars (3-7 Trico, 6-9 overall) at Columbia High School in White Salmon.

The Bruins follow with a 7 p.m. game Jan. 30 versus the league leading Fort Vancouver High Trappers (10-0 Trico, 13-3 overall) in Vancouver.

The Bruins began the week in sixth place in the eight-team league standings with four games left on the regular season schedule, which concludes Feb. 5. The top four teams qualify for the upcoming district playoffs starting Feb. 10.