SPORTS: Astoria softball girls feted, boys basketball team pulls off the inconceivable, and more
Published 11:50 am Monday, January 19, 2026
By PAUL MATLI
The Astorian
An evening at the Brickhouse that was imagined to be highlighted by the Astoria softball team ended up being residence to one in every of the most inconceivable upsets lately.
With the Fishermen softball girls set to get their rings and increase up the first state championship banner in program historical past’ followers in attendance had been already fired up. But what occurred after, shall be remembered for a very long time as nicely.
Coming off an emotional win in opposition to Clatsop rivals Seaside on Tuesday, the Fishermen boys basketball team acquired unhealthy information on Wednesday and Thursday. Starting level guard and main scorer Quin Gohr was set to overlook Friday evening’s recreation in opposition to Scappoose with an harm. If that wasn’t unhealthy sufficient, Astoria’s 6-foot-9 sophomore middle Magnus Kryzanek was additionally banged up and could be sitting out. Throw in guard Orrick Evans being sick and the Fishermen entered Friday evening’s league recreation in opposition to beforehand No. 2 ranked Scappoose down three of their high six rotation gamers.
On paper, this appeared like a recreation that will get away from the Fishermen rapidly, however the great thing about sports activities is that typically, nothing is what it appears.
Behind a scorching begin from three level vary, the Fishermen threw the first punch and led 17-11 after one. That fast begin was all they wanted, as the Fishermen put collectively one in every of the finest defensive video games of the coach Alex Eterno period. Despite taking part in a seven-man rotation consisting of seldom used junior Ty Cereghino and unknown freshmen Kalium June, the Fishermen held Scappoose to simply 37 factors.
After the fast begin, Astoria reverted to anticipated settings and struggled to attain the basketball. The boys scored simply six factors in the second quarter, however had been solely down by one level 24-23 going into the half.
Halftime was when the historic softball team was honored in entrance of The Brickhouse crowd. Seeing the girls get honored stored feelings excessive with a raucous pupil part main again into the recreation.
The third quarter began very very like the first. Astoria made a fast run to get the lead and ended up taking a 34-28 lead into the fourth quarter. Going into the fourth quarter, anticipation was constructing amongst the crowd considering the boys would possibly simply be capable of pull off an all-time upset.
The Indians pulled out a trapping protection to start out the fourth hoping to throw the Fishermen off. Despite play not being extraordinarily fluid on account of a scarcity of ball handlers, the Fishermen had been nonetheless capable of manufacture sufficient offense to carry on for a 43-37 upset. As the ultimate buzzer sounded, the Fishermen on the bench stormed the court docket together with the pupil part. Though it was only a common season victory, this one was on a distinct tier contemplating what the Fishermen needed to undergo.
Usually a defensive stalwart and move first participant, senior guard Mulu Starr-Hollow stepped up in the absence of Gohr and led the team with 16 factors. His eight first quarter factors acquired the Fishermen off to an important begin. Junior Cooper Jones joined him in double figures with 11. Sawyer Rochon had seven, Hudson Hill had three, June had 4 in his high quality minutes off the bench and Cereghino scored two factors, however drew three fees and performed phenomenal protection.
It was a complete team effort for the Fishermen to drag this off and the victory springs them up the 4A rankings to No. 8. The Fishermen will hope to maintain their momentum going with a highway recreation in opposition to No. 6 St. Helens on Tuesday.
Astoria girls begin robust then fade
For a lot of the first half, the Astoria girls appeared like they had been going to be in rivalry for his or her first league win.
After displaying indicators of maturity in opposition to Seaside, the Fishermen had been neck and neck with a top quality Scappoose team by a lot of the first half. Unfortunately, turnovers at the finish of the half took a 21-20 Fishermen result in 26-21 Indians. This continued into the third quarter as the Indians used their expertise to outscore Astoria 13-4 and take a 14 lead into the ultimate quarter.
Though the Fishermen battled in the fourth, they simply couldn’t get again in the recreation and ended up falling 53-36 to the Indians. Despite the loss the feeling after this recreation was one which the Fishermen might have simply gained. This exhibits the team is making strides and sure girls are discovering their footing in varsity basketball.
With the development this team has proven over the final month, it’s not bold to say this team shall be again in rivalry for a Cowapa league title subsequent season.
Kyah Gohr led the Fishermen in scoring with 12 and freshman guard Kilee Svensen had eight regardless of battling foul hassle for many of the recreation.
Seaside girls survive battle
Friday evening’s recreation between the Seaside and St. Helens girls become a dogfight.
With two bigs, guard play and capturing, the Lions got here in as the greatest competitor to Seaside in the Cowapa League. The two performed their first of three video games on Friday, with Seaside prevailing 44-36.
The win improved Seaside’s file to 10-3 total and pushed their profitable streak to eight video games in a row. Seaside could have one other robust recreation in opposition to No. 10 Tillamook this coming Wednesday, as they’ll play in opposition to a well-known coach. Whitney Westerholm who performed for Seaside is one in every of three assistants on the Cheesemakers squad, so this shall be a homecoming of types for her.
Seaside boys fall, however rating a season finest
Though the Seaside boys fell to St. Helens 65-52 in the Friday night-cap, the boys nonetheless put up a season excessive in scoring.
The Seagulls had reached 50 factors only one time this season earlier than Friday. A 50-36 victory in opposition to Catlin Gabel was the solely different time they did so. Scoring has been the one factor actually holding the Seagulls again from taking part in competitively, so possibly Friday will function a turning level for them as they nonetheless have a team able to placing factors on the board.
The loss sends them to 3-9 on the season and 0-2 in league play. Next up for the boys is a recreation in opposition to a streaky Tillamook team.
Knappa’s basketball groups make a sweep
Both Knappa groups stored up their good play with a pair of league victories.
The boys defeated Columbia Christian 66-41 and the girls gained 45-26. Both groups are actually 5-0 in league play and in rivalry for the 2A state event.
The boys are actually 13-3 and ranked No. 8 in 2A, whereas the girls have a one recreation lead over Nestucca and Clatskanie, whereas transferring themselves as much as No. 11.
Tuesday evening will mark the first main league showdown between the Knappa boys and Portland Christian boys. After seeing Astoria pull off the upset in opposition to the No. 2 team in 4A, the Loggers are hoping to do the identical factor in 2A and hand Portland Christian their first lack of the season.
The girls recreation begins at 6 p.m. and the boys shall be after.