Bruin boys open league play this week

WHITE SALMON — The Columbia High boys basketball team, idle since its first win of the season Dec. 8, opens Trico League play this week with two conference home games in three days.

The Bruins (1-4) won, 69-47, at home over Hudson’s Bay and are scheduled to play visiting Hockinson (1-4) in a nonleague game on Dec. 15 leading up to their conference schedule. Columbia hosts King’s Way (4-1) on Dec. 16 and Kalama (3-1) on Dec. 18.

The win over Hudson’s Bay (1-6) came after a 0-4 start for the Bruins, who lost by 40 to OSAA Class 5A Milwaukie on Dec. 6. Neither team was sharp offensively early; Hudson’s Bay did not score until almost five minutes had been played and with Columbia leading 6-0.

Columbia pulled away, sparked by its defense and transition offense late in the third period. Nursing a 34-27 lead, the Bruins closed the quarter with an 11-1 scoring spurt in a little more than a minute. It started with senior Aiden Hainline scoring on a secondary break layup, and senior Jordan MacCormack following with a fastbreak layin of his own.

Senior guard Hector Orozco hit a right wing 3-pointer and then assisted MacCormack when he slashed to the basket. Levi Connell beat the quarter buzzer with a layup off a Hudson’s Bay turnover giving the Bruins an insurmountable 45-28 lead.