Bruin boys split two playoff games

The winner advances to a Feb. 22 state qualifying contest against the winner of the other Feb. 19 game between Elma (14-7) and Montesano (11-11). The Feb. 22 winner will advance to the state tourney March 5-8 in Yakima.

The Bruins (7-8 Trico, 13-9 overall) got off to a good start in the eight-team, double-elimination tournament as they won a first-round playoff game, 69-58, Feb. 10 at home over the Hoquiam High Grizzlies (2-7 Evergreen League, 7-14 overall).

The Bruins trailed early in the contest but took a 21-20 lead early in the second quarter when junior Mason Hamilton fired in a 3-point field goal.

The Bruins had the momentum going in their favor for the remainder of the contest, including a 20-0 scoring run which helped build a 35-23 halftime lead.

The Bruins then faced the Trico League champion and No. 4-ranked Seton Catholic High Cougars (14-0 Trico, 16-5 overall) Feb. 15 in Vancouver and lost, 100-51.

The Bruins led 2-0 and 4-3 at the outset, but the Cougars quickly gained momentum, building a 28-15 advantage after the first quarter. The hot-shooting Cougars sank 11 three-pointers in the first half en route to a 55-32 halftime advantage.

The 100 points by the Cougars was the most for a Bruins opponent this year. It marked the fourth time the Cougars scored 90 or more points.

Girls comeback falls just short in playoffs

The Columbia High Bruins advanced to the WIAA Class 1A District 4 girls basketball playoffs for the first time in two years, and they lost a first-round game, 42-35, to the No. 15-ranked Hoquiam High Grizzlies on Feb. 12 at Hoquiam High School.

The Bruins fell behind 19-5 after the first quarter and 30-12 at halftime. Columbia came back to outscore the Grizzlies (6-2 Evergreen League, 14-7 overall), 18-5, in the third quarter, trimming the deficit to 35-30. But Hoquiam held on in the final period. The Bruins were hurt by 34 turnovers.

Junior guard Halle Kock led the Bruins in scoring with 14 points. Junior Joella Posini added eight points and eight rebounds, and junior Sara Miller grabbed 15 rebounds and had five steals.

The Bruins (9-5 Trico League, 12-8 overall) were seeking to get a win in a second-round game of the eight-team, double elimination tournament Feb. 18 at home versus the Castle Rock High Rockets (5-9 Trico, 9-13 overall).

The winner of that game advances to the Feb. 22 district semifinals and plays either Kalama (9-5 Trico, 12-9 overall) or Elma (4-4 Evergreen, 6-14 overall). Semifinal winners advance to the state playoffs March 5-8 in Yakima.