It was a thrilling end to the season for Hockinson Community Education’s youth basketball teams as several Hockinson athletes wrapped up their winter season with strong performances in the Clark-Cowlitz Youth Basketball (CCYB) League tournaments.
Hockinson Community Education partners with CCYB to provide basketball opportunities for students in grades K-6, with teams practicing since December and competing in weekly games in neighboring districts. The season culminated in tournaments for the 3rd/4th and 5th/6th-grade divisions.
Tournament Success Across Divisions
In the 3rd/4th-grade division tournament hosted by Battle Ground, Coach Miller’s boys’ team won the Blue Bracket, capping off their season with a well-earned victory.
In the 5th/6th grade tournament, hosted by La Center, three Hockinson teams fought their way through tough brackets to claim impressive wins, with each team taking third overall in their bracket. Out of 24 teams that started the tournament, Hockinson’s teams showed incredible resilience and unity:
Coach Long’s boy’s team won the "Pacific" Consolation Bracket, securing 3rd place in the overall tournament after a remarkable comeback, winning four straight games.
Coach Combellic’s boy’s team won the "Atlantic" Consolation Bracket, losing only one game.
Coach Burnham’s girls’ team dominated their own consolation bracket, claiming another 3rd-place finish after securing several consecutive wins.
Coach Clay Long reflected on the incredible camaraderie and community support throughout the tournament:
“Our Hockinson community showed up in a HUGE way to support our basketball players and it was incredible to see. I volunteer my time to coach these kids in basketball and life, and as an 18+ year police detective, I can tell you I have done a lot of great things in my career, but seeing what my kids did today and the community come out and support sports and our team is one of the highlights of my life. I can’t even start to tell you what that does to pull a community together.”
Coach Long emphasized the significance of these victories, as Hockinson’s teams competed against much larger programs with club and AAU-stacked teams. Despite these challenges, Hockinson’s volunteer-led teams excelled, proving that teamwork and heart can triumph over size and experience.
The excitement was felt across all Hockinson teams, with players proudly chanting “Hockinson!” after their wins— a true testament to the community spirit that defines Hockinson schools.
Congratulations to all the players, coaches, and families who made this season a success. Your hard work and dedication continue to make Hockinson proud!