Both the Ridgefield Spudders and Hockinson Hawks boys basketball programs are looking to gain postseason experience after separating themselves from the bottom of the pack in the 2A Greater St. Helens League.
The two squads faced off on Wednesday, Jan. 29, leading to a Spudders’ 84-52 win. The first quarter was highly competitive with Hockinson scoring 20 points to the Spudders 26 points. Most shots leaving the hands of the players went through the net in the first quarter. The Spudders continued that net-ripping success as Ridgefield’s Jamison McCann led the night with 31 points, while Hockinson’s Oliver Garner scored 24 points.
“If we’re going to share the ball and get good shots, we can be pretty good,” Spudders head coach Jason Buffum said. “And I thought Hockinson, tip my hat, they shot the piss out of the ball early. The lefty (Garner) was really good, and then we kind of got a little run and took us away, and even after that they made tough shots and, you know, I mean they can beat some teams if they shoot well.”
Hockinson head coach Dalton Rausch said the first quarter competition made him feel optimistic about his squad as the Hawks compete for the fifth/sixth seed out of the GSHL ahead of districts.
“I think our guys were more in tune, which obviously helps when Oliver gets as hot as he does,” Rausch said. “Second quarter, I think we were waiting for guys to make plays as we talked about. They did a great job of rebounding. Turnovers have gotten better, but that’s the one area we’re trying to fix. And obviously when you play a team as developed as Ridgefield, they’re going to capitalize off of those opportunities.”
After the Spudders’ 69-54 win to the Washougal Panthers on Friday, Jan. 31, they enter the final week of play with two home games against R.A. Long High School on Wednesday, Feb. 5 and against Hudson’s Bay High School on Friday, Feb. 7, both at 7 p.m.
The Hawks look to maintain their fifth-place spot with two remaining league games. After an 79-62 loss to Mark Morris High School on Friday, Jan. 31, they enter the final week of play with two road meetings, against Columbia River High School on Wednesday, Feb. 5, and against Washougal High School on Friday, Feb. 7. Both games begin at 7 p.m.