<I>KEVIN HEIMBIGNER photo</I><BR>This year's Ilwaco Lady Fishermen are: (front L to R) Assistant Coach Larry Chapman, Elaina Zuriata, Herlet Padilla, Monica Smith, Laura Herbold, Mary Margaret Tomberlin, Yessica Zuriata, Argelia Mendez, (back) Coach Joe Williams, Ashley Fauver, Amanda Faggard, Heather Hocking, Brittney Fox, Ashley Kitzman, Michelle Wroble, Nicole Adams, Heather Bartlett, and Jesse Landeros.

ILWACO – The Ilwaco Lady Fishermen basketball team has made it a habit under Coach Joe Williams to end their seasons in the state tournament. But in order to visit the Sun Dome in Yakima again in March 2003, the team will have to rely on blending experience with athletic ladies who haven’t played the hoop game.

The Lady Fishermen will have a tough act to follow. Last year’s squad, under the tutelage of Williams was 21-5, and they tied for the league championship and won the District IV championship before winning one of three 1A state tournament contests.

“I have always believed that team chemistry is more important than talent,” Williams said. “If we can keep our veteran players out of foul trouble and on the court and our less experienced players are willing to dedicate their time to improving, we could be competitive in every game.”

The experienced players include All-League first teamer, Heather Hocking, at point guard. Hocking is also a lights-out shooter and will be asked to carry some of the scoring load in Williams’ motion offense as well as handling the ball.

Michelle Wroble and sophomore standout, Ashley Kitzman, are the other two returning starters for Ilwaco.

“Kitzman can score inside and has a good outside shot, too,” Williams related.

Ashley Fauver and Mary Margaret Tomberlin contributed last season and will be called upon to help fill key rolls for the Lady Fishermen. Amanda Faggard, Brittney Fox, Heather Bartlett, and Nicole Adams are other athletes Williams says have shown promise in early-season workouts.

Other players turning out for basketball include Elaina and Yessica Zuriata, Herlet Padilla, Argelia Mendez, Laura Herbold, Monica Smith, and Jesse Landeros. Williams believes using a full-court pressing defense will limit the time the opponents have to set up before the 30-second shot clock expires, so he is hard at work teaching team pressure defense to his charges.

When Ilwaco has the ball the coach will rely on a motion offense to get open shots.

“The past three seasons we went more to a power game and worked the ball inside for most of our scoring, but I will have to adjust to our personnel this season,” said Williams.

Williams admits he may have to adjust to the competitive level of this year’s squad, as well. “If we play smart, play aggressively, and make the commitment as a team to work extremely hard, we will be in the hunt to do well at the 2A level,” he predicted.

The Lady Fishermen’s overall lack of experience and their extremely difficult preseason schedule could make or break the team. Should they come out of their early games with Montesano, Astoria, Seaside, Knappa, and Valley with an upbeat attitude and improving team skills, then they will be able to withstand the rigors of the Trico League.

Williams explained, “Woodland has been league champs the past six years and LaCenter could give them a run for their money. White Salmon, Castle Rock, and Ridgefield have almost everyone back from last season and will be tough to beat also.”

Williams and assistant coach Larry Chapman will need to get their lab coats on and get the chemistry blended just right between Hocking, Kitzman, Fauver, Wroble, and Tomberlin and their supporting cast in order to return to the Sun Dome in Yakima. Should the players work as hard as their veteran coaches would like them to, the team might do just that.