By PAUL MATLI
The Astorian
—
**Knappa Girls Basketball Snaps Losing Streak in League Opener**
There’s an old saying: never judge a book by its cover. The Knappa girls basketball team made sure this story rang true Tuesday night in their league opener.
After facing a gauntlet of high-quality teams to start the season and entering the league opener on an eight-game losing streak, the Lady Loggers showed they can’t be counted out just yet. With 12 points from Lucy Oien and 10 from Dahlia Koeppen, Knappa convincingly defeated their league rival Nestucca to make an early-season statement.
The 42-33 victory snapped Knappa’s eight-game skid and should help the team gain momentum for the remainder of their league schedule.
—
**Knappa Boys Rebound with a Win Over Nestucca**
The Knappa boys bounced back nicely after a flat game on Saturday against North Clackamas Christian. After struggling with their shooting, the Loggers came out much stronger Tuesday night, winning 55-40 over Nestucca.
This win improved Knappa’s record to 8-3 on the year, keeping pace with league favorite Portland Christian. Despite losing some players, the Royals have rebuilt their team and enter the season as favorites to win the league once more.
Though the Loggers face an uphill battle to claim the league title, they are well positioned to secure a home playoff game with a strong league season. Currently, the boys are ranked No. 6 in the Oregon School Activities Association 2A rankings.
Both Knappa teams were back in action Friday evening against Gaston.
—
**Warrenton Boys Hold Off Kennedy**
The Warrenton boys basketball team enters league play on a three-game winning streak after dispatching Kennedy on Tuesday. Though it wasn’t their sharpest performance, the Warriors did enough to hold off the Trojans, winning 49-41.
Tuesday featured balanced scoring for Warrenton, with three players reaching double figures. Junior point guard RJ Thornton led the way with 11 points, joined by Aaron Neahring and Ryan Palmer, who each added 10.
After an 8-4 start in the non-league portion of their schedule, the Warriors began league play Friday night with a home game against Rainier. With no single dominant team in the Coastal Range League this year, Warrenton is among the teams contending for the league title.
—
**Seaside Girls Continue Dominance**
Seaside girls basketball dominating their opponents will be a common theme this season. With a nine-person rotation and six seniors, the Seagulls are set up for a deep run in Forest Grove.
They kept their momentum going Tuesday with a 62-31 win over Junction City. The victory improved their record to 7-3 and extended their winning streak to five games.
With one more non-league game Friday night against The Dalles, Seaside appears poised to enter league play on a high note.
—
**Seaside Boys Still Searching for a Spark**
The Seaside boys are still trying to find their rhythm after falling 53-41 to Junction City. The loss dropped their record to 2-7 early in the season.
This year is one of transition for the Seagulls as they evaluate their upcoming talent to replace the very successful senior classes they’ve graduated over the past couple of seasons.
Seaside had one more non-league game Friday against a talented team from The Dalles before opening league play next Tuesday against rival Astoria.
—
**Astoria Swimming Takes Clatsop Clash**
The sound of starting guns and splashing swimmers returned after winter break as Seaside and Astoria swim teams faced off Thursday night at the Sunset Pool.
Led by strong performances from senior girls and sophomore boys, Astoria’s Fishermen won both the girls and boys meets. The Astoria girls defeated Seaside 103-45, while the boys prevailed 117-45.
Astoria senior girls Ruby Smith, Lillian Smith, Emery Young, and Alexzandra Nolasco all had standout performances. The foursome opened the meet with a strong time in the girls 200-yard medley relay. Individually, Ruby, Lillian, and Young each earned victories, while Nolasco posted a solid swim in the 500-yard freestyle.
Ruby Smith won the girls 50-yard freestyle; Lillian Smith claimed first in both the 100-yard freestyle and 100-yard breaststroke; Emery Young took top honors in the 100-yard butterfly. Junior Paige Kindred also secured first place in the girls 200-yard freestyle.
The boys team was again led by a strong sophomore class. Sam Reid, Toby Thomas, and Konrad and Roarke Struve each won individual events and contributed to relay success.
The boys 200-yard medley relay team — senior John Ero, Thomas, Reid, and junior Brennon Greer — took first place. Sophomore Brody Giles also impressed with a first-place finish in the boys 50-yard freestyle.
—
**Seaside Sophomore Shines with Two Wins**
Sophomore Ellie Smith was the standout for Seaside, going two-for-two in her individual events. Smith defeated Astoria seniors Young and Josie Reeves in the 200-yard individual medley and then beat Ruby Smith in the 100-yard backstroke.
She was joined by fellow sophomore Ella Crater in the win column, with Crater taking first place in the girls 500-yard freestyle.
Freshman Kailani Vidal continued her strong season with solid swims in the 100-yard freestyle and 100-yard breaststroke. Vidal and teammate Baylee Bishop finished second and third in the 100-yard freestyle, with Vidal also placing second in the girls breaststroke.
On the boys side, junior Kaden Bingham and sophomore Kellen Mortensen swam well for the Seagulls. Bingham posted a personal best in the boys 100-yard freestyle, finishing second to Astoria’s Ero with a time of 1:00.09.
He also finished second in the boys breaststroke in a close race against Astoria’s sophomore Thomas. Mortensen impressed with a strong 100-yard butterfly and anchored the 400-yard freestyle relay with one of Seaside’s fastest legs, closing the gap on several swimmers and staying close to Astoria’s standout sophomore Reid during the butterfly race.
—
Stay tuned for more updates as the local teams continue their seasons.
https://dailyastorian.com/2026/01/09/sports-basketball-teams-shoot-and-score-swimmers-return-to-the-pool/