Photo Gallery - NHS pulls out KM Trophy win

Photos by Damian Mulinix/Chinook Observer

Photo Gallery - IHS girls come through late over Knappa

Photos by Damian Mulinix/Chinook Observer

Photo Gallery - Bear River Battle hoops doubleheader

Photos by Damian Mulinix/Chinook Observer

Photo Gallery - Comets win Bear River Battle on the court

Photos by Damian Mulinix/Chinook Observer

Fishermen sweep LaCenter 201-239 for second straight win

LACENTER - Ilwaco won their second consecutive golf match by soundly defeating Trico League foe LaCenter 201-239, an average of 7.6 strokes per player. Ryan Kukula was medalist with a par round of 37 and Ross Kukula was second with a 39. He tied fellow freshman Anthony Yoder, who also fired a 39 to spark the Fishermen's win.

Patrick Whealdon came in fourth with a 42 and Clark Wilson was fifth with a 44 as the top five Fishermen scorers all bettered LaCenter's leading round. The Wildcats' top performer, Cooper Bars, shot a 45 on their home course at Tri-Mountain and tied Ryan Tapio, Ilwaco's sixth place golfer who also carded a 45.

Read the full story HERE

Early match a runaway for Fishermen golfer

SURFSIDE - In what is believed to be the earliest sports contest in the history of Ilwaco High School to start a school year the Fishermen golf team defeated Ridgefield 337-364 in an 18-hole match Aug. 26 in Surfside. Medalist honors went to Patrick Whealdon with a 79, Ridgefield's Brett Johnson fired an 84 and then it was all Ilwaco as freshmen Clark Wilson and Anthony Yoder came in with rounds of 85 and Ryan Tapio shot an 88.
Elias Blume fired a 106 in junior varsity competition and Kenneth Sheldon shot a 94 and Taylor Schisler a 106 in middle school exhibition match play. Coach Dan Whealdon said, "The weather was superb and this was a great way to get our season underway. It showed that our freshmen know how to compete and I'm excited about the upcoming season."

Football schedules and info

You can find the 2009 schedules for Naselle & Ilwaco varsity football over at the Friday Night Sights football blog. Check there throughout the season for game previews Friday afternoons and Saturday morning for game recaps, player blog posts and photos.

In the posts below you'll find the schedules of all other local high school sports for the fall season.

2009 Naselle cross country schedule

September 12 Knappa Invitational Noon
September 17 Castle Rock 4 p.m. *
September 19 Western Oregon University Invitational
September 24 Montesano 4 p.m. *
September 26 Nike Pre-National at Portland
October 1 Kalama 4 p.m. *
October 3 Beacat Classic at Chehalis
October 8 Northwest Christian 4 p.m. *
October 15 Wahkiakum 4 p.m. *
October 22 League at Ocosta 4 p.m. *
October 31 District at St. Martins University
November 7 State at Pasco

* Middle School will also compete.

2009 Naselle varsity volleyball schedule

September 8 Ilwaco Home
September 11 Yakima Volleyball Festival
September 14 3 Rivers Christ. Home *
September 15 South Bend Away *
September 17 Mossyrock Home
September 21 Wahkiakum Away
September 24 Raymond Away *
September 29 Valley Home *
October 5 3 Rivers Christ. Away *
October 8 Valley Away *
October 13 NW Christian Away *
October 15 Raymond Home *
October 22 North Beach Home *
October 24 Adna Tourney Away
October 26 Ocosta Away *
October 28 South Bend Home *

All games start around 7 p.m., preceeded by JV matches
*Denotes Pacific Lague matches

2009 Ilwaco boys golf schedule

September 3 LaCenter Away
September 7 Aberdeen Away
September 14 Mountain View Away
September 25 Stevenson Away
September 26 Surfside Invite Home
September 29 Prairie Away
October 1 LaCenter Home
October 19-20 District Montesano

2009 Ilwaco cross country schedule

September 11 Montesano Home
September 17 Rainier Away
September 24 Toledo Away
September 26 Seaside Invite Away
October 1 Montesano Away
October 8 Home meet
October 10 Hoquiam Invite Away
October 15 Tenino Away
October 31 District St. Martins University
November 7 State Pasco

2009 Ilwaco varsity volleyball schedule

September 8 Naselle Away
September 10 Knappa Away
September 15 LaCenter Home
September 17 Warrenton Home
September 26 Raymond Home (10 a.m.)
September 28 Knappa Home
September 29 Stevenson Away
October 1 Kalama Home *
October 6 Castle Rock Away *
October 8 Columbia Home *
October 13 LaCenter Away *
October 15 Stevenson Home *
October 20 Kalama Away *
October 22 Castle Rock Home *
October 27 Columbia Away *
October 29 LaCenter Home *

All games start around 7 p.m., unless otherwise noted. with JV matches preceeding
*Denotes Trico League match

2009 Naselle varsity volleyball schedule

SEPT. 8 ILWACO (HOME)
SEPT. 11 YAKIMA VOLLEYBALL FESTIVAL
SEPT. 14 THREE RIVERS CHRISTIAN (HOME)
SEPT. 15 SOUTH BEND (AWAY)*
SEPT. 17 MOSSYROCK (HOME)
SEPT. 21 WAHKIAKUM (AWAY)
SEPT. 24 RAYMOND (AWAY)*
SEPT. 26 SOUTH BEND JV TOURNEY (AWAY)
SEPT. 29 WILLAPA VALLEY (HOME)*
OCT. 5 THREE RIVERS CHRISTIAN (AWAY)
OCT. 8 WILLAPA VALLEY (AWAY)*
OCT. 13 NORTHWEST CHRISTIAN (AWAY)*
OCT. 15 RAYMOND (HOME)*
OCT. 22 NORTH BEACH (HOME)*
OCT. 24 ADNA TOURNEY (AWAY)
OCT. 27 OCOSTA (AWAY)*
OCT. 29 SOUTH BEND (HOME)*

*Denotes Pacific League opponent

2009 Naselle Cross Country schedule

Sept. 12     Knappa Invite     Noon
Sept. 17   Castle Rock*  4 pm
Sept. 19   West. Oregon Univ. - Fest. of Champs TBA
Sept. 24     Montesano* 4 pm
Sept. 26   Nike Pre National - Portland     TBA
Oct. 1       Kalama* 4 pm
Oct. 3       Bearcat Classic - Chehalis   TBA
Oct. 8       NWC*  4 pm
Oct.15     Wahkiakum* 4 pm
Oct. 22     League at Ocosta * 4 pm
Oct.r 31 District at St. Martin’s –Lacey TBA
Nov. 7 State at Pasco TBA

*Indicates junior high team will also race

Photo Gallery - Liga Hispana championship matches

Photos by Damian Mulinix/Chinook Observer

Photo Gallery - IHS students play for team Valencia in the Liga Hispana

Photos by Damian Mulinix/Chinook Observer

Photo Gallery - NHS at District track meet

Photos by Damian Mulinix/Chinook Observer

Photo Gallery - IHS softball wins play-in game to make district tourney

Photos by Damian Mulinix/Chinook Observer

Photo Gallery - NHS track @ Raymond

Photos by Damian Mulinix/Chinook Observer

Photo Gallery - IHS softball vs. Columbia

Photos by Damian Mulinix/Chinook Observer

Photo Gallery - NHS vs. Quinault baseball

Photos by Damian Mulinix/Chinook Observer

Photo Gallery - NHS @ IHS softball

Photos by Damian Mulinix/Chinook Observer

Photo Gallery - IHS-NHS @ Warrenton track meet

Photos by Damian Mulinix/Chinook Observer

Lady Fishermen blow by Astoria golfers 43-36

OCEAN PARK – Northwest winds blowing at 25 knots lowered scores, but didn’t keep Ilwaco from defeating Astoria 43-36 (Stableford scoring) in the battle of Lady Fishermen at Surfside Golf Course Thursday.
Kylie Lewis was far and away the medalist for the match, firing a round of 46 and earning 26 Stableford points to anchor the Lady Fishermen.
The victory was Ilwaco's first dual win of the season after they finished second in a three-way match last week.

Naselle baseball location/time change

The Naselle baseball game with Seaside scheduled for today has been changed to an away game at Seaside and will now start at 5pm.
The Naselle and Ilwaco track teams will be in Warrenton at 3:30 and the Ilwaco girls golf team will play a match at the same time.

Changes to the blog

As stories come in following sporting events, an encapsulated version will now appear on the blog, while the full story will be featured in the next week's newspaper. This way you can still get the basic idea of how things went, scores, etc., but you'll have to check out the paper to get the full info. The first examples of this can be seen in the posts below. We'll call these "game blasts" for future reference.

This will not affect perhaps the most popular feature of the sports blog, which are the photo galleries from the games, which will still be added following game coverage (they are also linked in the printed paper).

Another thing we've started doing (we'll see how it goes) but we just started a Twitter account as a way to update people of what is going on with the blog. For example if you were a follower of the blog (www.twitter.com/cosports) you would have found out that we added a game blasts from the Ilwaco-Warrenton baseball game and from the Naselle baseball/softball match-ups with Pe Ell.

So hang in there as we continue to bring you the best coverage of local sports!

Naselle lose big on both diamonds

Pe Ell - The Naselle baseball and softball teams traveled to Pe Ell Monday and were handed blowout loses.

The Comet boys managed five hits and one run and PeEll scored 11 runs, only three of which were earned, in the third and fourth innings to down the Comets 11-1 in a non-league baseball game there Monday. Naselle’s Nate Sultemeier held the Trojans scoreless through the first two frames, but he allowed six runs, only one of which was earned in the troublesome third and fourth innings.

Meanwhile, without their top pitcher and facing last season’s number four team in the state, the Comet girls were swept by PeEll 16-0 and 18-1 in a non-league doubleheader. Starting pitcher Jackie Marasigan was out due to illness so Orianne Condon and Cassie Van Dusen saw their first action in the pitchers circle at the varsity level. The Comets managed only Shelby Leeland’s single in the first game that was shortened to four frames due to the mercy rule. In the second contest Condon led off with a walk, moved to second on a wild pitch and scored on Leeland’s second hit of the day to give the Comets a 1-0 advantage in the first inning.

The baseball team went to 2-1 on the season, while the girls fell to 0-3.

Read the full stories in the 4/8/09 Chinook Observer

IHS blasted in fifth, remain winless

WARRENTON – A seven-run fifth inning spelled doom for Ilwaco as they dropped a 12-1 decision to Warrenton there Monday in a non-league baseball game. The Fishermen had played the best game of their season for the first four innings in a scoreless tie. In the bottom of the sixth a walk, passed ball and single upped the score to 10-1 and then Warrenton catcher Tom McFadden slammed a walk-off, two-run home run over the left field fence to end the contest 12-1 under the mercy rule. Ilwaco is now 0-5 for the season and 0-3 in the Trico League.

Read the full story in the 4/8/09 Chinook Observer

NHS Thursday track meet moved

The Naselle home track meet scheduled for Thursday, April 2, has been canceled, and instead the team will take part in a meet at Warrenton High School. The Ilwaco team will also take part in this meet.

Photo Gallery - IHS blasted in 5th by Warrenton

Photos by Damian Mulinix/Chinook Observer

Photo Gallery - IHS holds first home meet of the season

Photos by Damian Mulinix/Chinook Observer

Chinooks snag 15-1 league win over Fishermen

LONG BEACH - The Trico League has a quirky baseball and softball schedule this season whereby two teams play each other three times within a week and then don't meet again the rest of the season. That's OK unless your first three games are against the defending state runner-up and defending District IV champion Kalama like Ilwaco drew.

Read the whole story HERE

Montesano edges Ilwaco in girls' golf, Rochester third

SURFSIDE - Ilwaco had four girls shoot 69 or lower in their opening match of the season, but they could not quite catch defending district champion Montesano at Surfside Tuesday, while Rochester finished a distant third place.

Read the full story HERE

Ulbricht, LaPlatney lead Ilwaco in season track debut

RAINIER, WASH. - Cameo Ulbricht won three ribbons and Evin LaPlatney was the highest boy finisher with a third place finish in the 17-team Rainier (Washington) Ice Breaker track meet there Saturday. Ulbricht was fifth in the 800, seventh in the 400 and eighth in the 100 meter runs as she earned all seven of the Lady Fishermen's points in the opening meet of the season.

Read the whole story HERE

Chinooks batter Fishermen 19-0, 16-1 in Trico double dip

KALAMA - The Chinooks wasted little time in establishing themselves as a state baseball power again this season as they battered a short-handed Ilwaco squad 19-0 and 16-1 in a pair of Trico League games in Kalama Wednesday. Both contests were shortened to four and one-half inning affairs due to the 10-run mercy rule.

Read the full story HERE

Photo Gallery - Comets win baseball opener

Photos by Damian Mulinix/Chinook Observer

On the mound and at the plate, Sultemeier powers the Comets to first win

CATHLAMET - Nate Sultemeier was in mid-season form as the right-hander tossed a complete game two-hitter and struck out 13 Mules as Naselle defeated Wahkiakum 4-2 in the non-league lid-lifter for both squads in Cathlamet Wednesday. Sultemeier's two-run home run provided half the Comets offense, for good measure.

Read the full story HERE

Photo Gallery - Naselle team hits the track ... and the weight room

Photos by Damian Mulinix/Chinook Observer

Photo Gallery - IHS hits the diamond

Here's a couple pix from the Ilwaco baseball practice I checked out today.
-DKM

IHS winter sports athletes honored at annual banquet

ILWACO - The Ilwaco High School winter sports awards banquet was Tuesday and the following players won boys' basketball awards: Justin Short was most improved, Karl Oman was Mr. Basketball and Jack Whealdon received MVP honors. The girls' basketball awards went to Carley Kitzman for most improved, Kady Kirby as inspirational and Amy Banuet received the coach's award.

Wrestling award winners were Dylan Short, most improved, Terry Elliott most inspirational, Ikaika Thomas the captain's award and Rudy Alvarez was on the all-conference first team. Cheerleading awards went to Alexis Ferguson most spirited, Katie McDonnell most improved, Kelsey Madsen most dedicated and Liz Bonney for inspirational and best all around.

Photo Gallery - NHS baseball team hits the diamond as practices begin

Photos by Damian Mulinix/Chinook Observer

Photo Gallery - IHS track team hits the weight room in preparation for the new season

Photos by Damian Mulinix/Chinook Observer

Ilwaco Fishermen eliminated from state tourney

YAKIMA — The Ilwaco Fishermen boys basketball team was eliminated from the state 1A tournament Thursday morning by losing their second game in two days. The Fishermen were knocked off by Columbia Burbank, 39-56, ending their season.

Read the full story HERE

Fishermen fall to top-ranked team in state tourney opener

YAKIMA — The Ilwaco Fishermen lost their opening round game of the state 1A basketball tournament Wednesday afternoon, falling 27-54 to top-ranked Vashon Island at the Yakima Sun Dome. The Fishermen now play a consolation round game this morning, 10:30 am against Columbia Burbank (who lost a close game 56-61 to Lake Roosevelt). If the Fishermen win they will play 11 am Friday for a chance to play in the fifth place game 10 am Saturday. If the Fishermen lose the game this morning they will be eliminated from the tournament.

Read the whole story HERE

Photo Gallery - Lady Fishermen eliminated

Photos by Damian Mulinix/Chinook Observer

Lady Fishermen eliminated in 70-40 loss

KELSO - Ilwaco went ahead 9-8 midway through the first period on two of Vallori Crowston's 11 points, but then LaCenter went on a 21-2 tear over the next eight minutes and never let up as the Lady Wildcats cruised to a 70-40 district win in Kelso Thursday. The victory assures LaCenter of a berth in next week's state 1A girls' basketball tournament, while Ilwaco's season is ended with a 14-10 record.

Read the full story HERE

Photo Gallery - Ilwaco boys advance to state

Photos by Damian Mulinix/Chinook Observer

lwaco boys head to state; defeat Stevenson 56-38

The Ilwaco Fishermen boys basketball team defeated Stevenson 56-38 tonight to gain a spot at state. The Fishermen will play Kalama Friday at 6:30 p.m. at W.F. West for third or fourth place at districts.

Read the full story HERE

Comets state hopes crushed 60-50 by powerful Pirates

CENTRALIA - "Tonight just wasn't our night," Coach Brian Macy lamented after his Comets fought gamely, but were eliminated from the District IV tournament by a physically strong Adna team 60-50. He told his team following the loss, "I think you guys wanted (to win and go to state) so bad that you played cautiously. I have nothing but admiration for each of you, but this is a tough life lesson to learn-sometimes you have to aggressively pursue your goals, no matter what gets in your way."

Read the whole story HERE

Eighth grade boys finish perfect 9-0

ILWACO - Ilwaco won every eighth grade game this season by an average of 41-19 for veteran coach Bob Enos. Players on the team and their point totals were Ross Kukula (78), Anthony Yoder (37), Brenden Greenfield (48), Daniel Murillo-Perez (16), Jose Gonzalez-Sebastian (12), Corbin Sutherland (22), and Cody Wright (10). Also playing were Paul de Montaudouin (2), Wyatt Wullger (95), Clark Wilson (30), Jose Hernandez (2), and last but not least Austin Wirkkala (32).

The eighth graders competed against Raymond, South Bend, Naselle, North Beach and Ocosta. Enos said, "We emphasized teamwork, fundamentals and defense as a team and to get the kids ready for high school basketball. We utilized the old Dean Smith motto of play hard, play smart, play together and play defense."

Toledo trounces Lady Fishermen 82-47

LONGVIEW - Toledo had a torrid 27-7 third period run that put a District IV semi-final contest out of reach as they rolled to an 82-47 win over Ilwaco Friday at Mark Morris High School. "Now we have to regroup and get ready for LaCenter," Coach Ned Bittner said simply after the lop-sided loss.

The Lady Fishermen will take on the Lady Wildcats in Kelso at 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 26 with a trip to state the reward for the winner and the loser will be eliminated for the season.

Read the full story HERE

Lady Navigators eliminate Naselle 45-26

CENTRALIA - Northwest Christian, arguably the most athletic team in the Pacific 2B League this season, pulled away from Naselle for a 44-26 win in the consolation bracket Saturday in Centralia, eliminating the Comets from the district tournament.

The Comets finish with a 6-16 mark for the year and they won the sportsmanship award for the Pacific 2B League.

Read the whole story HERE

Comets blistering first quarter corrals Mules 69-39

CENTRALIA - "Rebounding and defense, that's what we've preached all season," Coach Brian Macy related and those fundamental cornerstones were the key to the Comets 69-39 route of rival Wahkiakum in a loser-out district game at Centralia Saturday.

Naselle will now play Adna in Centralia Tuesday, Feb. 24 at 8 p.m. in another loser-out contest. If Naselle wins that game they will play for a trip to state Thursday in Chehalis at 8 p.m. against the loser of the White Pass-Pe Ell game.

Read the whole story HERE

Photo Gallery - Lady Fishermen knocked into consolation bracket

Photos by Damian Mulinix/Chinook Observer

Photo Gallery - NHS girls eliminated with loss to NWC

Photos by Damian Mulinix/Chinook Observer

Update -Lady Fishermen blown out in quarerfinal game by Toledo

LONGVIEW - The Ilwaco girls basketball team had no answer for the pressing defense of the Toledo girls Saturday night, falling by over 30 points and sending them into the consolation bracket. The Lady Fishermen will now have to win their next game, Thursday 8 pm at Kelso, against the team that beat them out for the Trico title, LaCenter. If they win they will have a guarteed berth to the state tournament and will play in the third place game on Saturday. If they lose, however, their season is over.

A photo gallery and full story will be added later

Photo Gallery - NHS stay alive with blowout win over rival

Photos by Damian Mulinix/Chinook Observer

Naselle boys advance with blowout win

CENTRALIA — The Naselle Comets advanced in the District tournament Saturday afternoon with a 30-point blowout of rival Wahkiakum. The Comets will now play on Tuesday for the opportunity to go to the state tournament.

A gallery of photos and a full story will be added later

Naselle girls eliminated from district tourney

The Naselle Comets girls basketball team was knocked out of the district tournament Saturday afternoon with a loss to Northwest Christian in a consolation round game at Centralia.
A full story and photos will be posted later today.

Kirby, Kary keep Fishermen afloat with 51-43 win over Bulldogs

KELSO -Kolby Kirby and Ross Kary picked a perfect night to play the best basketball games of their lives as the seniors combined for 31 points in leading Ilwaco over Montesano 51-43 in a loser-out District IV contest at Kelso Friday. The Bulldogs employed a triangle-and-two defense to pressure Ilwaco's two leading scorers for the season, Jack Whealdon and Karl Oman and their scheme worked to a tee as Whealdon scored a season-low six points and Oman had 12.
The Fishermen will play Stevenson at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 25 at W.F. West in Chehalis in a winner-to-state, loser-out contest. Ilwaco and Stevenson split their league games during the season as each team won at home.

Read the whole story HERE

Update - Thomas eliminated from Mat Classic

TACOMA — Ikaika Thomas of Ilwaco was eliminated from the state wrestling tournament Friday night after falling in his second match to Alex Barnes of Orting. Thomas was Ilwaco's lone representative in the tournament. Rudy Alvarez and Terry Elliott were also there as alternates in their respective weight classes but did not get the opportunity to wrestle.

Photo Gallery - Fishermen fight off Bulldogs to stay alive in district tourney

Photos by Damian Mulinix/Chinook Observer

Update - State wrestling, round one

Ilwaco Ikaika Thomas was pinned by Jake Bartlett of Royal High School in the second period of their opening round match at the state wrestling tournament at the Tacoma Dome Friday afternoon. Thomas is now in the consolation bracket with his next scheduled match at 7:36 this evening. Thomas will have to win his next four matches in order to place at the tournament.

You can view the bracket as it advances HERE

Game times for Saturday Naselle games

Naselle will play back to back district IV consolation round playoff games Saturday at Centralia High School. The first game will feature the Naselle girls team, starting at 2 pm. The second game will feature the Naselle boys team, around 3:30 pm. Both are single elimination games.

Lady Fishermen win opener, play for state berth Saturday

LONGVIEW — Ilwaco girls basketball coach Ned Bittner got the revenge he was looking for Thursday night. The coach told KJOX FM earlier this week that he was looking for some payback against the Montesano girls team which eliminated his Lady Fishermen two years ago, and Thursday night in Longview he got his wish. The Lady Fishermen won a close district tournament opener 47-45 over Montesano.
The Lady Fishermen will now play Toledo for a guaranteed state berth, this Saturday night at 8 pm at either Mark Morris High (the site of Thursdays game) or Rochester High (depending on how the other teams fare).
If the Lady Fishermen win Saturday they will play for the District title on Saturday Feb. 28, 8 pm at Kelso High School. If they lose Saturdays game they will play Thursday Feb. 26 at 8 pm at Kelso for the right to play in the third place game.

Read the full story HERE

Five Comets are all-Pacific 2B League selections. Comets girls win sportsmanship award

NASELLE – Emily Green and Nicole Laney were chosen for the girls’ Pacific 2B all-league basketball team and Austin Burkhalter, Nate Sultemeier and Conor Smith were tabbed as all-league on the boys’ side. The Comets girls were chosen for the sportsmanship award for the 2008-09 season.
Shelby Leeland, Nicole Tarabochia and Taylor Wasmundt were honorable mention for the girls and Nick Hines earned honorable mention status for the boys’. Burkhalter was also runner-up in MVP voting.
The teams are voted on by the league’s coaches and are made up of 10 players and the MVP for both the boys and girls.

Fishermen take 19-point loss in tourney opener

CHEHALIS - The Ilwaco Fishermen got hit hard in their District IV 1B basketball tournament opener Wednesday as they fell to Onalaska 57-38. Ilwaco nows moves into the consolation bracket where one more loss will eliminate them from the postseason.

The Fishermen will face Montesano, who lost to Castle Rock, at 6:30 p.m. Friday Feb. 20 at Kelso High School. The Fishermen would have to win three straight games over the next week to advance to the state tournament.

Read the full story HERE

Nemesis Napavine knocks Naselle to loser’s bracket 55-52 in OT

MONTESANO – Napavine’s Blake Anthony scored 31 points, but none were bigger than his three-point shot with 1.2 seconds remaining in overtime to break a 52-52 tie and send Naselle to the loser’s bracket at the District IV tournament in Montesano Wednesday 55-52.
The Comets had taken a 52-50 lead with 1:16 left in overtime when Nate Sultemeier found Drew Macy wide open under the basket for a layup. Anthony tied the score with 55 seconds left on a jump shot in the paint. The key play of the game came with 28 seconds remaining in OT when Sultemeier was knocked to the floor while driving to the basket. No foul was called and eventually a jump ball was whistled and the Tigers were given the basketball on the alternating-possession rule, setting up Anthony’s last 1.2 second shot.

The Comets now must win three consecutive games to earn one of four berths from District IV to the state tournament. They will play rival Wahkiakum Saturday at a time and place to be announced, depending upon the outcome of the other boys’ and girls’ district contests.

Read the whole story HERE

Icy second half helps Ducks cook Comets 39-29

CENTRALIA - "We just did not attack the basket in the second half," Coach Bobby Torppa lamented after his Comets dropped a 39-29 decision to Toutle Lake in the opening round of the class 2B girls' District IV tournament in Centralia Monday. An icy second half in which Naselle scored only six points the final 15 minutes, 14 seconds to the Ducks' 25 was the difference.

The Comets will now play the loser of the White Pass-Northwest Christian game Saturday, Feb. 21 at 1 p.m. in Centralia. A loss will end Naselle's season and three straight victories will earn them a state tournament berth.

Read the whole story HERE

Photo Gallery - Ilwaco sends three wrestlers to state

Ikaika Thomas advances to state, with teammates Terry Elliott and Rudy Alvarez as alternates in their respective weight classes.

District IV basketball tournament - opening round match-ups

ILWACO/NASELLE — The opening round schedule for District IV 1A and 2B boys and girls basketball is set and all four local teams are involved. The Naselle girls kick things off Monday, Feb. 16 in Centralia at 6:30 p.m. against Toutle Lake.
Wednesday is boys’ night out as the Comets will play the winner of the Valley-Napavine game at 6:30 p.m. in Montesano and the Fishermen will play Onalaska at 6:30 p.m. in Chehalis at W.F. West High School. Thursday the Lady Fishermen hit the hardwoods as they take on Montesano at 6:30 p.m. in Longview at Mark Morris High School.
The basic format for the 1A tournament is win twice before losing twice and your team will be going to state in Yakima’s Sun Dome. In the 2B tournament a team could have to win three times before losing twice to make it to state in the Spokane Coliseum.
To follow the 2B tournaments click HERE
To keep up on the 1A tournaments click HERE

You will also find all the latest results and photos here on the Observer sports blog

Kitzman has "monster game" as Lady Fishermen clinch no. 2 seed

ILWACO – Freshman Carley Kitzman made the difficult switch from reserve post to starting point guard Friday at home and Coach Ned Bittner said she had “a monster game” in the process. She led the Lady Fishermen over White Salmon 42-39 in the final Trico League game of 2009 and with the win Ilwaco clinched second place in the league and assured them a date with Montesano Thursday, Feb. 19 at Mark Morris at 6:30 p.m. in the district tournament.

Read the whole story HERE

Oman & Whealdon see 20-20as Fishernen clinch district seed

ILWACO – Karl Oman scored 18 of his 21 points in the first half and Jack Whealdon poured in all 20 of his in the second half as Ilwaco blasted White Salmon 78-47 in the final Trico League game of the season Friday at Carl Aase Gymnasium. The victory was huge because Kalama and Ilwaco came into the final night of the season tied for third place in the Trico at 5-4. Ilwaco won and Stevenson defeated the Chinooks 56-52, forcing Kalama to host Forks in a loser-out game Monday, Feb 16 to qualify for district, while Ilwaco is in.

Read the whole story HERE

Lady Navigators find their way past Naselle 58-32

OLYMPIA - Coach Bobby Torppa explained, "It could have been a case of back-to-back long road trips, but tonight we did not respond well to Northwest Christian's athleticism and defensive pressure after the first quarter." The result was a 58-32 win for the Lady Navigators to end the Pacific 2B season Thursday for both squads.

Read the whole story HERE

District places set as local AD's lucky with coin flips - just waiting on the outcomes of this weeks games

ILWACO - The flips are in and athletic directors Kevin McNulty and Brian Macy of Ilwaco and Naselle should consider getting into a rock-paper-scissors competition as they won every coin flip possible to determine district seeding in the 1A and 2B tournaments.

Read more about the possible seedings HERE

Naselle girls shot down by North Beach 45-36, still have a chance at fourth place

Comets shot down by North Beach 45-36

OYEHUT - Naselle girls basketball team's weakness all season has been poor shooting and it again cost them a Pacific 2B game at North Beach Wednesday night 45-36. The Comets connected on only 11 of 68 tries from the field for 16 percent and only made 11 of 30 free throws (37 percent) in the loss to the Lady Hyaks.

The setback means Naselle still has a chance to finish in a tie with South Bend for fourth place in the Pacific. Should the Comets defeat Northwest Christian tonight (Feb. 12) they would be seeded in fourth place as they won the coin flip with South Bend.

Read the whole story HERE

Fishermen survive spirited LaCenter 51-45

LACENTER - "This game was a carbon copy of the first time we played LaCenter. I felt we were in control of the game most of the way against a scrappy ball club," Coach Kip Meinhardt said after his Fishermen defeated LaCenter 51-45 there Tuesday.

Read the whole story HERE

Comets race past Hyaks 81-57, win flip for first seed

NASELLE - Haley's Comet travels at 157,800 miles per hour and that's about how fast the Comets from Naselle were traveling Tuesday when they clobbered North Beach 81-57 at home to wrap up at least a first-place tie in the Pacific 2B League. Four Naselle players scored in double figures, ten made the scoring column and the Comets won every quarter against the Hyaks, who had defeated Naselle 73-58 less than a month ago.

Read the whole story HERE

Lady Wildcats fly by flu-riddled Ilwaco 55-33

ILWACO - A mini-epidemic of the flu and bronchitis decimated Ilwaco's starting lineup Tuesday as LaCenter flew past the Lady Fishermen 55-33 in a game that broke a first-place tie for the Trico League. The Lady Wildcats are on top at 8-1 and Ilwaco drops to 7-2 and now is tied with Castle Rock for second with one round of games to go.

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Photo Gallery - Shorthanded Lady Fishermen handed blowout loss by Wildcats

Photos by Damian Mulinix/Chinook Observer

Four advance to district wrestling meet - Alvarez first, Elliott & Thomas second, Sanchez thid

ILWACO - Rudy Alvarez won the Sub-regional wrestling tournament 103 pound weight classification and Terry Elliott (160 pounds) and Ikaika Thomas (285) were both second at Kalama Saturday. The match featured the six teams from the Trico League and the top four finishers in each of the 14 weight classes moved on to the Regional tournament in Castle Rock Feb. 14.

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Lady Seagulls work overtime to top Naselle 56-49

NASELLE - Raymond remained undefeated in the Pacific 2B League at 10-0, but an improving Naselle girls' team took them to overtime before the Lady Seagulls came away with a 56-49 win here Saturday. The Comets fell behind by three at the end of one period and were down by four points at the half and at the end of three periods before tying the game at 43-43 after four quarters.

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Comets down plucky Gulls, clinch at least second and first round bye

RAYMOND - It wasn't easy, but Naselle managed to down a resilient Raymond Seagulls squad 61-57 there Friday to clinch at least second place in the Pacific 2B League for 2009 and earn a first-round bye in the district tournament. The plucky Gulls had battled to a 50-47 lead with 3:16 to play when Nate Sultemeier sank a three-pointer to tie the score at 50-all.

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Rockets explode to 66-53 overtime win over Ilwaco

ILWACO - Castle Rock exploded for 17 points in overtime to roar past Ilwaco 66-53 here Friday in a key Trico League contest. The Fishermen had defused the Rockets the final 3:48 of regulation to come from down 49-43 to tie at 49-all with 37 seconds remaining. Karl Oman connected on a pair of free throws after Jack Whealdon had hit on a 10-foot jumper and Ross Kary had dumped in a turnaround shot in the key.

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Photo Gallery - IHS boys force OT, but can't take down high flying Rockets

Photos by Damian Mulinix/Chinook Observer

Lady Rockets lay first league loss on Ilwaco 50-27

CASTLE ROCK - The Lady Rockets seniors were honored before their home fans Thursday and then they blasted off to a 19-2 first-period lead over the previously undefeated in league Lady Fishermen and then cruised to a 50-27 victory.

Coach Ned Bittner lamented, "This is not how you would expect a team who was 7-0 in the league to play and give them credit. Castle Rock played to their full potential. We weren't making shots, and made too many forced and unforced turnovers. You can't play like that at this level and expect to win. We just didn't get it done."

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Naselle knocks off South Bend 48-41 behind Tarabochia's 20

NASELLE - "This was a really exciting win for us because it puts us up again in the standings," Nicole Laney said after the senior point guard's Comets pulled away from South Bend for a 48-41 Pacific 2B League victory Thursday in Naselle. "This was a big win that will help put us into district."

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Naselle boys win one, lose one

Naselle second-half defense plunders Vikings 58-36

NASELLE - The Comets put the clamps on Valley's offense in the second half, holding the Vikings to just 13 points and two field goals on their way to a convincing 58-36 win in Pacific 2B League action Wednesday in a makeup game that had twice been rescheduled due to weather.

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South Bend shoots down Comets 70-54

SOUTH BEND - "They played well and we shot poorly," Coach Brian Macy succinctly summed up as his Comets were knocked off by hot-shooting South Bend 70-54 in a Pacific 2B League game at the oyster capitol Tuesday. Naselle drops to second place in league play at 7-2 and the Indians keep on their heels at 5-4 with the victory. The Comets need one more victory or a South Bend loss to clinch at least second place in the Pacific and a first-round bye in the District IV tournament.

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Lady Fishermen catch Lady Chinooks 57-48, move to 7-0 in Trico

KALAMA - If, as Forest Gump so aptly states, "Life is like a box of chocolates, you just never know what you will get," then the Ilwaco Lady Fishermen basketball team is the same-you just never know who will lead you to victory. The nice thing in Trico League play thus far this season is that someone will lead you and Tuesday at Kalama it was Ashley Tapio and Vallori Crowston who helped Ilwaco catch the Lady Chinooks 57-48.

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Photo Gallery - Naselle boys face off with Valley Vikings

Photos by Damian Mulinix/Chinook Observer

Naselle varsity boys game time change Weds.

The start time of the Naselle boys varsity basketball game tonight against Pacific League opponent Willapa Valley, Weds. Feb. 4, has been changed in order to allow parents and community members to attend the "Save Naselle Youth Camp" rally/meeting. The basketball game will start around 5:45 pm at the Naselle High gym, and will be followed by the JV game.
The Save NYC meeting will start around 7 pm in the school commons. Here is a copy of the agenda for the meeting:

Community Meeting

Naselle Youth Camp

February 4, 2009

6:50 – 7:00 Naselle Marimba Band (background music CD)
7:00 – 7:10 Welcome/Introductions/Sign-up Sheet
7:10 – 7:30 Naselle Youth Camp Video
7:30 – 7:40 Testimonials
7:40 – 7:45 Protocol
7:45 -8:30 Pass the Mic – Community Speaks
8:30 – 9:00 Response by Dignitaries

Whealdon's last tenth-of-a-second shot wins for Ilwaco 53-50

ILWACO - Jack Whealdon rebounded a Kalama miss, dribbled six times, spotted up to the right of the key, faked once, waited for a desperate Chinook defender to clear and then uncorked a perfect three-point shot with one-tenth of a second remaining on the clock in Carl Aase Gymnasium. His swisheroo from beyond the arc broke a 50-50 tie and gave Ilwaco the victory that rocketed the Fishermen into a tie for third place with Kalama in the Trico League at 4-3.

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Alvarez wins Beach Brawl, Ilwaco places four at 15-team meet

ILWACO - Rudy Alvarez ripped through his 103-pound bracket to claim a first place finish in the 15-team, 168-wrestler Beach Brawl Tournament at Carl Aase Gymnasium Saturday. Bobby Richards won two of his three bouts to earn a third place medal at 189 pounds, and Josh Berteaux at 125 and Dylan Short at 285 also won two of three matches to claim fourth-place honors at the final tournament before sub-regional competition begins next Saturday at Kalama.

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Photo Gallery - Lady Fishermen easily fly past Stevenson, stay perfect in league

Photos by Damian Mulinix/Chinook Observer

Photo Gallery - Naselle girls come just short of dramatic comeback

Photos by Damian Mulinix/Chinook Observer

Ilwaco unleashes 65-24 torrent on Lady Bulldogs

ILWACO - The Lady Fishermen unleashed a 39-9 second-half tidal wave of points and ran away from Stevenson 65-24 in a Trico League game at Carl Aase Gymnasium Friday. Ilwaco led 26-15 at the half and then to open the third period scored the next 13 consecutive points to bury the Lady Bulldogs 39-15 and the game never got any closer.

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Fishermen defense muzzles league-leading Bulldogs 55-35

ILWACO - From the opening tip to the final buzzer Ilwaco totally dominated previously unbeaten league leading Stevenson 55-35 in a Trico League game here Friday. The Fishermen jumped to a 14-3 lead during the first period and increased their advantage to 25-12 at intermission. When Ross Kary dumped in two field goals to open the second half Ilwaco went up 29-12 and the route was on.

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Lady Fishermen rally falls one point shy of Astoria 48-47

ILWACO - The Lady Fishermen, as they have done all season, made a furious fourth period charge, but came up one point short as Astoria won a 48-47 non-league basketball game at Carl Aase Gymnasium Wednesday. Ilwaco trailed 47-38 with 2:36 remaining in the contest when they scored nine of the final ten points. Unfortunately that one Astoria free throw was enough to offset Ilwaco's rally and hand the Lady Fishermen a 48-47 defeat.

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Ilwaco zones out Astoria 53-39

ILWACO - In a game where tempo-the ability to perform at one's preferred pace--was critical, Ilwaco had it, lost it and got the tempo back to pull out a 53-39 non-league boy's basketball game with Astoria here Wednesday. The first half neither team had tempo, momentum or the lead for very long.

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Fishermen bake Bruins in 76-64 with huge OT win

WHITE SALMON - Karl Oman coolly swished two free throws with 30 seconds remaining to send the game into overtime and then he and his mates baked the COlumbia Bruins 19-7 in the four minutes of "free basketball," propelling Ilwaco a crucial 76-64 Trico League victory in the Columbia River Gorge Monday.

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Crowston's buzzer beater biffs Lady Bruins 42-40

WHITE SALMON - Vallori Crowston's 12-foot jump shot in the lane went in with three seconds to go giving Ilwaco a come-from-behind 42-40 Trico League victory in White Salmon Monday. Crowston had missed her last 11 shots, but the feisty sophomore point guard went right at the Lady Bruins 6-foot-1 center Lacey Kruse and shot the winning basket over her to keep Ilwaco undefeated in league play at 5-0.

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Photo Gallery - IHS wrestling @ Raymond

Photos by Damian Mulinix/Chinook Observer

Photo Gallery - IHS boys vs. Knappa & 1958-59 championship reunion night

Photos by Damian Mulinix/Chinook Observer

Ilwaco scratches out 48-43 Trico win over Wildcats

ILWACO - It wasn't pretty, but Ilwaco hung on to eke out their first Trico League victory of the season over LaCenter 48-43 at home Thursday. The Fishermen trailed after one period 10-8, but then exploded for 17 straight points to lead 25-10 at the 2:45 mark of the second period as they looked for all the world like they would win by a blowout.

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Ilwaco takes double header from Naselle

Lady Fishermen sink Comets with clutch foul shooting 45-34
NASELLE - The Lady Fishermen sank eight of nine foul shots in the final 3:15 to notch a 45-34 win over Naselle in non-league play at Lyle Patterson Gymnasium Monday. The Comets Coach Bobby Torppa said, "We played probably our best game since the first of the season, we rebounded well, took care of the basketball, and defended well, but we just didn't put the ball in the basket."

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Fishermen near perfect from line in 67-64 comeback win at Naselle
NASELLE - Ilwaco made their first 16 free throws in a row and 18 of 19 from the charity stripe on their way to a 67-64 come-from-behind victory over the Comets at Naselle Monday in fast and furious non-league basketball action. The Comets led 54-53 entering the final period and Nate Sultemeier hit a pair of three's and a driving layup, but the Fishermen answered with a three-point play by Cody Bliss and baskets by Justin Short, Jack Whealdon and Ross Kary to knot the contest at 62-62 with 5:34 remaining.

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Photo Gallery - NHS boys beat Raymond

Photos by Damian Mulinix/Chinook Observer

Sultemeier's 26 not enough as North Beach downs Comets 73-58

OCEAN SHORES - "North Beach is a very good team. They outplayed us in every aspect of the game," Naselle Coach Brian Macy said. "We didn't play well, didn't shoot well; in fact we didn't do much of anything well tonight."

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Rockets explode in fourth period to beat Fishermen

CASTLE ROCK - The Rockets exploded to a 26-12 fourth period advantage to pull away from Ilwaco for a 64-48 Trico League win at Castle Rock Thursday. The Fishermen defense had held through three periods as Ilwaco was up 9-4 after one period, tied at 25-25 at halftime and only trailed the Rockets 38-36 going into the final eight minutes of the fray.

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Late surge lifts Ilwaco over Lady Rockets 48-40

ILWACO - The Lady Fishermen scored the first basket of the game and then didn't lead again until the 4:04 mark of the final period, but their 12-4 finishing outburst was more than enough to ground Castle Rock 48-40 and take a share of the Trico League lead with the win at home Friday.

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Photo Gallery - IHS girls beat Castle Rock for fifth straight win

Photos by Damian Mulinix/Chinook Observer

Fishermen flatten Chinooks 42-36 for first mat win in seven years

KALAMA - In 2002 Harry Potter was still a book, the Homeland Security and No Child Left Behind Acts became law, the euro was put into circulation and the Patriots won their first Super Bowl. Until Thursday evening that was also the year of Ilwaco's last dual wrestling victory.

January 23, 2002 Ilwaco defeated the Mules at a dual meet at Cathlamet and Thursday the Fishermen broke the nearly seven-year draught by knocking off Kalama 42-36 in the first half of a double-dual Trico League match and then losing to LaCenter 56-30. Ilwaco's Rudy Alvarez (103 pounds), Dyllan Poe (135), and Taylor Odneal (152) all picked up important victories. Coach Kevin McNulty said, "Dyllan's win was huge, not only in winning points for our team, but the way he battled back. He was behind early, but ended up getting a fall in the third period."

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Lady Fishermen reel in Chinooks 55-38 with team effort

ILWACO - The Lady Fishermen won every quarter as they reeled in Kalama 55-38 in a Trico League contest at Carl Aase Gymnasium Tuesday. Carley Kitzman came off the Ilwaco bench to record a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds and Ashley Tapio and Alexa Wirkkala nearly turned the trick as well. Tapio netted 15 points, all in the second half, while nabbing nine boards and Wirkkala scored 13 with eight caroms.

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Chinooks' big three sink Fishermen 69-56

KALAMA - "When you have a good point guard like Brandon Walker, a kid like Robby Sanders who can penetrate and shoot and a quality post player like Matt Pollock, you can be hard to deal with at the 1A level," Ilwaco coach Kip Meinhardt said of Kalama as the Chinooks defeated Ilwaco 69-56 there Tuesday. "We matched up fairly well against their guards, but simply did not have an answer for (6-foot-5) Pollock's inside game."

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Lady Hyaks outlast Naselle 44-41 after swift start

NASELLE - In Chinook Jargon the word "hyak" means to hurry or move swiftly and that's precisely what the North Beach Lady Hyaks did Tuesday evening in Naselle. They hyaked (hurried swiftly) to a 12-4 advantage at the end of the first quarter and made that lead stand up as they defeated Naselle in a Pacific 2B League game 44-41 at Lyle Patterson Gym.

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Photo Gallery - NHS girls @ South Bend

Photos by Damian Mulinix/Chinook Observer

Photo Gallery - Bear River Battle 1/3/08

Photos by Damian Mulinix/Chinook Observer