The West Linn Lions (15-5, 5-1 Three Rivers League) took on the Clackamas Cavaliers (9-10, 2-4 TRL) on a night when the West Linn Survivor challenges took the crowd’s attention during halftime.
The Lions sputtered on offense during the first half, scoring only 30 points in 16 minutes. West Linn has been struggling in the first half as of late and needed a comeback or tenacious defense to come out victorious. They have not scored 20 or more points in a single quarter in the first half since Jan. 15 against the Lakeridge Pacers. By the end of the second quarter, West Linn led 30-29.
Fortunately, coming out of halftime, the Lions were able to solve the offensive difficulties and put up 27 points in the third quarter alone. Entering the fourth quarter, West Linn had a 57-47 lead.
Along with the Lions offense clicking, they were able to stop the Cavaliers on defense, allowing only 37 points in the second half. When the final buzzer sounded, West Linn came out victorious 82-66.
Ryan Shearmire, junior, netted 26 points and helped the Lions to victory along with Hayden Coppedge, junior, who had 23 points. Anthony Mathis, sophomore, put up 13 points and together the three of them scored 62 of the Lions’ 82 points.
Clackamas was lead by Taylor Stinson, junior, who had 17 points and was joined by Brett Udland, senior, who totaled 12 points.
West Linn’s next game is against the Lakeridge Pacers (13-6, 4-2 TRL) on Feb. 8 at West Linn starting at 7:30 p.m.