Storm Falls Just Short in High-Stakes Battle at Clackamas

OREGON CITY, Ore. — The Chemeketa Storm (5-16, 1-7) pushed the Clackamas Cougars to the brink on Wednesday night, but a late surge by the home team handed the Storm a heartbreaking 82-79 loss. In a game defined by narrow margins and physical play, Chemeketa showcased a balanced attack that nearly upended the Cougars on their home floor.

A Tale of Two Halves

The contest was a back-and-forth marathon from the opening tip. Chemeketa went into the locker room trailing by just a single point, 36-35, after a gritty first-half performance. The intensity only ramped up in the second frame, with both teams finding their offensive rhythm. Chemeketa exploded for 44 points in the final 20 minutes, but Clackamas managed to stay just one step ahead, answering with 46 of their own to seal the three-point victory.

Storm Standouts

Chemeketa's starting five and bench provided a unified front, with five different players reaching double-digit scoring:

• Spencer Horne: Led the Storm with 15 points and nearly secured a double-double, hauling in a team-high 9 rebounds.

• Gavin Aguilar: Contributed 13 points and 5 rebounds in 34 minutes of action.

• Andrew Imhoff: Tallied 12 points and provided the Storm's lone block of the evening.

• Jaylin Scott: Provided a massive spark off the bench, shooting efficiently for 11 points in just 12 minutes.

• Ahmad Koroma: Added 10 points and 6 rebounds to anchor the interior.

• Kaden Holm: Orchestrated the offense with a team-high 5 assists.

By the Numbers: Efficiency vs. Volume

The box score tells the story of a game Chemeketa dominated in the paint but lost at the perimeter and the charity stripe. The Storm were the more efficient shooting team, hitting 47.8% from the field compared to Clackamas' 42.6%. Chemeketa also controlled the glass, out-rebounding the Cougars 39-31.

Ultimately, Clackamas used the three-pointer to bridge the gap, knocking down 11 triples to Chemeketa's 6. The Cougars were also nearly perfect from the free-throw line, going 19-of-21, which proved to be the difference in a three-point game.

Photo Credit: The Athlete Studio     Instagram: @TheAthlete_Studio