Saints stay undefeated

By Peter Hills

The Saints played an intense game with their rival Clackamas Wednesday at Clackamas, ultimately coming out on top 72-56.

The game started with the Saints coming out strong. To the unsuspecting fan, it looked like they would dominate the rest of the game. But Clackamas was quick to show why they are deserving of a playoff spot. They held the Saints’ offense, causing turnovers and grabbing rebounds.

“They are a good team. They have a good coach and good players,” said Corey Nielson who had 13 points, 10 rebounds and six steals. “They were really intense in that first half. They were out-rebounding us and they wanted it more.”

The men battled Clackamas, keeping the game within three to five points.

Coach Rob Nielson, “We have a bigger and quicker team, but they are a good team. We weren’t going to bury them.”

The game took a slight turn when Mt. Hood took a timeout with five minutes to go in the first half.

“He (coach Nielson) told us to be more patient and play defense,” said Nielson.
They created an eight-point lead to end the first half.

Coach Nielson said they had to get focused defensively. “We had to stay out on their shooters, then play solid defense and get solid penetration and get better shots.”
In the second half the Saints jumped on more rebounds and got a few easy scoring chances to sustain their lead.

Nick Klinger and Damarcus Branch’s combined efforts put 29 points on the board, forward Ryan Johnson helped out with 12 points, and Kaylone Riley came through with his 11 points, 10 rebounds and three blocked shots.

Clackamas’ 6’6” center Ervin Sims snagged eight rebounds, but as soon as the Saints’ Adonal Arrington, 6’11”, started covering him, he had trouble.

On Saturday Southwest Oregon Community College (SWOCC), 3-4 and 14-8 overall is looking to avenge their 87-80 loss that the Saints handed them earlier this season when they come to play on our home court.

The team has really come together according to coach Nielson and that may be why Mt. Hood is one of two NWAACC teams that is undefeated in the regular season.
“We always play with a lot of heart out there,” said Nielson.