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Skyview boys basketball team fights back for 58-52 win against Battle Ground

Still looking for consistency, the Storm shake off first-half deficit with big third quarter

By Will Denner, Columbian staff reporter
Published: January 22, 2025, 11:37pm

BATTLE GROUND — In a perfect world, the transition between an outgoing senior class and a new group would be seamless.

Skyview boys basketball coach Matt Gruhler knows that isn’t always the case.

After finishing sixth at last year’s Class 4A state tournament with an impactful senior class led by Demaree Collins, the Storm have understandably gone through some growing pains this season. But while trying to build toward the best version of themselves, the Storm are still finding ways to win.

Skyview’s latest, a 58-52 win over Battle Ground on Wednesday, required the Storm to claw back from a 10-point deficit in the first half, tighten up their defense and find some rhythm on offense. After outscoring Battle Ground 22-10 in the third quarter, Skyview held on for its third 4A Greater St. Helens League win.

“Winning on the road is a tough thing to do in this league, and we haven’t really answered the call well the last few road games,” Gruhler said. “So, this is a good learning lesson for a fairly inexperienced team. We have some experienced guys back, but a lot of guys (are) still trying to figure out how we best play together. We’re getting closer each game.”

17 Photos
Battle Ground senior Boston Walker, left, passes the ball Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, during the Tigers’ 58-52 loss to Skyview at Battle Ground High School.
Boys Basketball: Skyview at Battle Ground Photo Gallery

Battle Ground (3-13, 0-4) did most of its damage in the paint led by the likes of Boston Walker (14 points) and James Gill (13 points). The Tigers grabbed their biggest lead of 10 points after Brayden Andrews hit a 3-pointer in the closing minutes of the second quarter.

Skyview (12-4, 3-1) closed on a 6-0 run to get within 27-23 at halftime. The takeaway from Skyview’s conversation in the locker room was simple, according to senior Ryan Hanson.

“Just in general, we weren’t playing Skyview basketball,” he said. “We didn’t look like ourselves at all. I mean, if you look at our last three league games, that didn’t look like us at all.”

To get back on track, the Storm gained momentum midway through the third quarter when Malakai Weimer scored eight straight points, including back-to-back 3-pointers. Hanson followed by converting a three-point play and scoring on a layup with one minute left, giving the Storm a 45-37 lead entering the fourth.

Weimer (17 points) and Hanson (14 points) combined to score 18 of Skyview’s 22 points in the quarter.

“Ryan’s my guy, we feed off each other, so I feel every time I make a big play, he makes a big play,” Weimer said. “I think that was the key to the third quarter.”

Through nearly two months of the season, Skyview has learned many of its strengths are different than last year. One example Gruhler points to is the team’s scoring balance, which has expanded this season after graduating Collins, the program’s all-time leading scorer.

Weimer and Hanson are averaging 18 and 15 points this season, respectively, and Landon Webb, who added 11 points Wednesday, is another scoring threat.

“That’s been a positive for us,” Gruhler said. “But then it also means that guys could hide (before) when they had a bad game because somebody was going to carry them. There’s nowhere to hide anymore.”

But the Storm have fully embraced the behind-the-scenes work, starting with their summer league slate and carrying over to the winter season. Even on up and down nights like Wednesday, the Storm are staying patient.

“I feel like this is the hardest-working group we’ve had in Skyview history, and finding our identity all the way from summer league to fall league,” Hanson said. “We’ve had a great group, all the way from one to 13 just buying in every single day at practice. Even though we’ve been down, coming into these games and winning them (are) crucial.”

SKYVIEW 58, BATTLE GROUND 52

SKYVIEW — Landon Webb 11, Gavin Packer 2, Ryan Hanson 12, Malakai Weimer 17, Andy O’Brien 0, Zander White 0, Spencer Hascall 3, Tycen Haij 7, Zeno Calastas 5. Totals 17 (8) 15-20 58.

BATTLE GROUND — Jacob Renfroe 0, Ethan Adams 0, Boston Walker 14, Collin McGowan 7, Brayden Andrews 10, James Gill 13, Tre Cornelison 8. Totals 21 (2) 8-10 52.

Skyview            15          8             22          13—58

Battle Ground               16          11          10          15—52

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