By Doug Fry

Women’s basketball

The Clackamas women’s basketball team battled through a rocky start to league play, injuries and even facing teams with twice as many players on their roster; but they still made the most of their season.

The Cougars finished the regular season with an overall record of 17-11, with a 9-7 league record that earned them a third-place finish in the Northwest Athletic Conference Southern Region.

Their third-place finish qualified them for the NWAC tournament where they faced Walla Walla Community College for the second time this season. In the prior meeting, back in December, CCC’s women defeated Walla Walla 65-59 in overtime.

During the first-round game, Walla Walla jumped out to an early lead of 16-7 at the end of the first quarter and did not look back. Clackamas kept the game within reach through its entirety, being down by only five at the half. The second half had more of the same for the lady Cougars, and they could not quite catch the Warriors.

Clackamas’s season came to an end with a 74-65 loss in the first round of the NWAC tourney at the hands of Warriors of Walla Walla on Saturday, March 11.

Men’s basketball

As the regular season comes to an end, so does the Clackamas men’s basketball playoff hopes.

As the regular season comes to an end, so does the Clackamas men’s basketball playoff hopes.

The Cougars finished their season with an 8-8 record in the Southern Region and a 15-13 record overall record, holding onto a winning season. The CCC hoopers ended their season with three straight losses, all in closely fought games: 99-96 to Umpqua in double overtime and 69-64 to Clark College. But they still had hope with one game remaining against Portland Community College.

Going into their final game against PCC, Clackamas was in a 5-team tie for third. In a back and forth game, Clackamas lost a heartbreaker with a score of 74-72, ending their season.