Seaside’s Austin Palmer (33) fights against Astoria’s Benton Moore (12) during the Clatsop Clash on Feb. 20.

There have been many great chapters in the Clatsop Clash over the years. Izzy Jantes’ game on Feb. 20 will be another one added to the collection.

According to Seaside head coach Bill Westerholm, Jantes had been sick in the days leading up to the game and still played against Astoria. Not only did he play, but his performance will be remembered.

“It’s the Clatsop County Clash,” Westerholm said. “If somebody says this game doesn’t mean anything, then they aren’t from Clatsop County. Astoria is right there with us, and we hope that they can make a run so we see each other again in Forest Grove.”

Jantes scored 27 points, including 15 in the fourth quarter, to carry the Seaside Seagulls to a 56-47 victory. His play took the game, which was 37-36 in Seaside’s favor going into the fourth quarter, to 53-41.

“Izzy had a 102 degrees temperature this morning, he’s been sick for a couple days,” Westerholm said. “He had some big shots for us in that third and fourth quarter, we ran about four straight 3-point plays for him and once he got hot we ran it for him, I think he hit four in a row for us. That kind of separated our score out just enough for us to kind of limp to the finish line.”

This game showed a lot about Seaside, as they were forced to come back from an early 26-16 deficit.

The Astoria Fishermen came out with intensity on both ends of the floor and built a 10-point lead with about three minutes to go in the first half, only to see the Seagulls flip a switch and enter a zone Astoria couldn’t compete with.

After going down by 10 points, Seaside outscored Astoria 40-21 the rest of the way.

“We’ve still got a ways to go and hopefully we can get there in the next week and a half,” Westerholm said. “This is the first Seaside team I’ve had that’s gone undefeated in league. Even those teams that went deep in the playoffs and won championships, we never went undefeated. So, being able to beat Astoria three times is impressive cause I feel like we’re very evenly matched.”

For the Fishermen, the game included familiar elements from the first two clashes, such as missed free throws and layups.

The Fishermen got to the free-throw line 17 times, only making six. The Fishermen also missed a number of shots around the rim.

Quin Gohr led the Fishermen with 18 points. He scored only four in the second half, as Seaside made a couple of personnel adjustments on defense out of the break.

Seaside clinched the third seed in the 4A division, and will play their next game on March 1.

Astoria girls dazzle

The first game of the night featured No. 1 ranked Astoria girls dazzling in the first half, scoring 41 points and taking a 41-16 lead into halftime. The evening also marked senior night for the Astoria girls basketball team.

Fans of Astoria basketball have been waiting for this type of explosion and it couldn’t have come on a better night. With Avery Biederman, Maitlin Young and Lily Meadows honored during senior night, the Fishermen looked every bit the 4A title favorites in their dominating 61-26 victory.

Astoria had four players in double figures and used a beautiful high-low offense to tear the Seagulls’ zone apart with back-door cuts.

This was the statement win Astoria was looking for. The victory capped off another undefeated league season. The Fishermen are tightening up their play just in time for the state playoffs.

Young led the way with 15 points, followed Shelby Bruney, Malory Dundas and Biederman, who had 14, 13 and 12 points, respectively.