RIDGEFIELD – Ilwaco won the final quarter 19-12 at Ridgefield Monday and that was all it took to defeat the Lady Spudders 63-56 in the final game of the first round of Trico-League action. The win pulled the Lady Fishermen even at three wins, three losses and left the team firmly entrenched in fourth place.

Ilwaco had trailed most of the contest, but pulled even near the end of the third period and entered the final eight minutes tied at 44-44. When the game gets close and you have a veteran player you can go to, it’s great when that player comes through – and that’s exactly what senior, Heather Hocking did. She swished two three-pointers, sank five for six free throws and handled the ball with poise and confidence to help seal the victory.

Ashley Kitzman, sophomore standout post player, led Ilwaco in scoring in the key match-up with Ridgefield with 22 points, four coming in the critical fourth period. Ashley Fauver made three of her nine points in the last period and Katie Holmes added a foul shot in the 19-point barrage.

“Early in the game we seemed tentative on offense,” according to assistant coach Larry Chapman. “At halftime Joe (coach Williams) stressed rebounding and being more aggressive on defense. And the ladies responded well.”

Ilwaco out-scored the Lady Spuds 37-27 the second half as their aggressive defense triggered their offense. The Lady Fishermen forced 27 turnovers and lost the ball only 14 times, according to statistician Larry Phelps. Those 13 extra possessions and the fact that Ilwaco came back to out-rebound Ridgefield 36 to 35 spelled the difference in the contest.

Another key stat was the 22 fouls the Lady Spudders were whistled for, allowing Ilwaco to make 22 of 32 free throws (69 percent). Ilwaco was called for 11 fouls and Ridgefield sank four of 11 from the line (36 percent). From the floor the Lady Fishermen were 17-47 (36 percent) and Ridgefield hit on 25-55 (45 percent).

The dynamic duo of Kitzman and Hocking sliced and diced through the Spudder defense for 42 points, with Kitzman getting 22 in the paint, including a perfect 10-10 from the line and Hocking scoring 20, with 15 coming on five bombs from beyond the three-point arc. Ariel Barker scored 10 points as the sophomore continues to improve offensively and Fauver made two “threes” as part of her nine point contribution.

Michelle Wroble dished out five assists to lead the team in that department and Hocking swiped the ball eight times and Kitzman had six steals. On the boards, Barker gathered in 11 rebounds, as did Hocking, who was two steals shy of achieving a rare “triple-double.”

By winning, the Lady Fishermen now trail Woodland, LaCenter, and Castle Rock, but are ahead of Ridgefield, Stevenson, and White Salmon in league. Should the teams hold serve the second half, the Lady Fishermen will qualify for District IV play and take on the Evergreen Conference champion, possibly the talented Tenino team, in the first round.

The junior varsity took their lumps, being mashed 31-64 by the Lady Spudders. Nicole Adams scored 11 points and Jessie Landeros eight for Ilwaco.

Ilwaco 9 16 18 19 -63

Ridgefield 10 19 15 12 -56

Ilwaco – Kitzman 22, Hocking 20, Barker 10, Fauver 9, Holmes 1, Tomberlin 1, Unruh

Ridgefield – Heald 15, Daughtery 13, Ford 9, Wagonier 7, Meyer 6, Lowery 6