Image provided by: Clackamas Community College; Oregon City, OR
About The print. (Oregon City, Oregon) 1977-1989 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 15, 1989)
SPORTS THE PRINT February 15,1989 Page 10 Cougars drop two out of three Photo by Jillian Porter Clackamas spohomore Jeff Hoffman is amongst the leaders in every area this season for the Cougars. His strong play inside, and desire to win has made him a winner. Hoffman all-around player for Cougars By Mark A. Borrelli Sports Editor The struggling Clackamas men’s basketball team continued its downward slide last week by losing two out of three league games, dropping their league mark to 4-7, and tying for fourth place with Lane Community College. The week started out well for Clackamas when Lane came to town February 6. Trev Kiser got the Cougars off on the right foot, opening the game with a pair of three pointers to give Clackamas an early lead. They coasted into half-time with a 36-29 lead, but almost let it get away in the sec ond half. Lane charged out of the locker room and scored the seven points needed to tie the ball game. The gamp stayed close the rest of the way, and the Cougars couldn’t shake the Titans. The game was tied with 1:55 left in the,game, when Todd Spencer turned into a hero for the Cougars. With the game tied at 55, Spencer drilled a three pointer, his first of the night, to give the Cougars a 58-55 lead. That took the air out of the Titans sails, and Clackamas eased to a 62-55 vic tory. Jeff Hoffman and Trev Kiser lead the Cougars in scoring, each chipping in 16. Nate Pyatt added 15 points and 18 rebounds. The next stop for the Cotigars was at cross town rival Mt. Hood. Clackamas played exceptionally well in this game, committing only five tumovere. But the Cougars ran into a familiar problem: bad officiating. Mt. Hood came out smoking behind their talented guard James Coles. Coles poured in jump shots from all over the court, and helped send the home town Saints into the locker room with a42-31 half time lead. Clackamas came out in the second half playing inspired ball. The Cougars fought hard to get back into the game, tying it up with 6 minutes to play at 76-76. That’s when the officials took the Cougars right out of the game. The officials missed several calls, and failed notice when Trev Kiser was thrown out of bounds by a Mt. Hood player. The Clackamas bench was outraged :about this non-call, and was issued a technical foul for protesting.too loudly. Then Coach Royce Kiser was hit with two quick technical fouls and was ejected from the game. The loss of their coach took the Cougars right out of the game froni that point on. Mt. Hood went on a scoring spree en route toa 90-86 victory. . Jeff Hoffman poured in 23 . points and Trev Kiser added 21 in a losing cause. James Coles lit up the Cougars all night and finished with a game high 31. ' With the tough loss at Mt. Hood the Cougars needed a break, but they didn’t get one. They were home to entertain the leagues number one team, Umpqua. The Cougars had to go into the key match-up without their coach, who was suspended by the Clackamas athletic department for being hit with two technical fouls at the Mt. Hood game. So before the game started, Clackamas al ready had an obstacle to over come. As if facing James Coles a few night ago wasn’t enough, the Cougars were faced with Umpqua’s high scoring guard Anthony Stew ard. The flashy guard rained jump shots from everywhere but the parking lot. Steward exploded for a game high 37 points to lead his team to an 88-77 victory. Umpqua jumped out early and held a 50-39 half time advantage: Clackamas clawed back in the second half, but were never able to get over the moun tain as’ they dropped their second straight game. Jeff Hoffman again led the way for Clackamas, tallying 29 points and ten rebounds. The Cougars are 4-7 in league, and tied with Lane for the fourth and final playoff spot. The Cou gars will be at Chemeketa tonight, before closing out the regular season at home Saturday against SWOCC. Cougars crush PCC keep playoff hopes alive hard at the time. He is so likable by Staci Beard to work with,” stated Kiser. Staff Writer A few high marks have al An early season knee injury may have made Jeff Hoffinan some ready been achieved by Hoffman. what tentative on the court, but A game at Lower Columbia pro his steady play still shines through. duced a game high of 34 points. A Hoffman shows a toughness tournament also at Lower Colum that comes from within. One that bia saw Hoffman make the all- coach Royce Kiser feels helps to star team. But the biggest high light is hopefully still to come. Clackamas 102, PCC 86 provide leadership for the team. “My goal is just to have an The Clackamas men’s basket “Jeff leads mostly by example. He has a mental toughness. He overall good season and help the ball took their show on the road in works hard, which makes him a team to win and go as far as we can a makeup game at Portland good person for others to watch in the playoffs,” explained Community College. The Cougars came out red hot and built a 54-45 and learn from. He never never Hoffinan. Hoffman’s basketball career half time advantage. They didn’t lays down,” explains Kiser. Hoffman feels his leadership started in the fourth grade. He let their host hang around for much hasn’t been too evident. “I have used to play with Todd Spencer longer however, putting them away shown some but not enough. Iwill andanolder brother. He has been early in the second half on their need to show more leadership as playing ever since. Before begin way to a easy win in a game that ,we get closer to the playoils,” stated ning his career at Clackamas, he they had to have. Nate Pyatt scored was a member of the David Douglas 25 points, and Trev Kiser pumped Hoffman. Rebounding and scoring have High School varsity squad for two : in 7-9 three pointers to also finish the game with 25. Richard Rush shown to be Hoffman’s easily seen years. “We played in the state tour ing led Portland with 27 points. assets for the team. Hoffman last year lead the NWACC Southern nament and made it as far as the the Cougars are now tied with Division in rebounding with an fourth position, but we ended up Lane Community College for average of ten rebounds a game. in seventh place,” Hoffman re fourth place, each team has a pair , of games left, Clackamas will be at But his hard work behind the scenes marked. Hoffinan hopes for more Chemeketa tonight, and will close arc not seen by the fans. He has had to face the added basketball in his future, but at a * out the regular season at home Saturday against SWOCC. The task of changing positions. This bigger school. ‘T want to go to a bigger col top four teams in the southern year Hoffman is at guard wing, which has made him work on his lege and play basketball. Right division make the playoffs, so for now I am open to where I want to Clackamas to make the playoffs quickness; they need at least a split of the “I need to get faster sb I can go,” states Hoffman. Kiser also feels that Hoffman next two games., Should Clacka guard the quicker people and improve my defense,” said has a future in basketball. “I really mas and Lane be tied at the end of hope a division one school picks theyear, they would have a playoff Hoffman. “I have to make myself chew him up. He has the type of quali gameto determine the fourth place him out sometimes. 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