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.

Read the whole story HERE

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.

Read the whole story HERE

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.

Read the whole story HERE

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.

Read the whole story HERE

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.

Read the whole story HERE

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."

Read the whole story HERE

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."

Read the whole story HERE

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.

Read the whole story HERE

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.

Read the whole story HERE

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.

Read the whole story HERE

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.

Read the full story HERE

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.

Read the whole story HERE