ILWACO – Playing C-squad basketball is a lot like the minor leagues of baseball – the fame and fortune of the “big time” is a player’s dream, but the love of the game is what really keeps the dream alive.

Ilwaco’s C-squad basketball coach, Matt McKinstry, does his best to keep his players and their dreams of varsity stardom alive and well. “Our players definitely improved in most phases of the game. The most important thing we learned is to never give up,” he says of his team that finished the season Wednesday, Feb. 5, with a 5-9 win-loss record.

McKinstry summed up his team’s performance by saying, “I feel we had a successful season even though we lost more games than we won because we improved and earned our opponents’ respect.”

The team averaged 48 points per game and gave up an average of 49, to give an indication of how close the young Fishermen’s contests were. Nick Leonard led the squad in scoring with 16 points per game and has the potential to be a great asset to future varsity teams according to McKinstry.

Scott Fagerland improved his ball-handling and decision-making skills as point guard, while averaging three points per game. Mike Huitt proved to be an excellent pure shooter, netting two points per game, and he worked hard on his all-around game, according to McKinstry.

“Markus (Peterson) has a great motor,” the coach said, referring to his intensity and effort, as he averaged two points a contest. Joe Goelz led the C-team in rebounds and was a solid defender while netting six points per contest. “Ubaldo Sebastian has a vast amount of untapped potential,” McKinstry claims and goes on to say, “He has a great future.” Sebastian averaged seven points.

Mooch Smith has a great nose for the ball, according to the coach, and the ability to make plays, while averaging six points per game on the year. Travis Ostgaard is mister consistency, an excellent shooter who averaged two points per contest, and a savvy player for McKinstry. Mike Patterson netted five points per game and was “hands down our most improved player,” according to the coach. McKinstry said of Patterson, “Every opposing coach commented on his improvement over the course of the season.”

Ilwaco C-Squad shot 41 percent at the line for the year, sinking 108 of 262 attempts. “We improved in many areas, but the guys still have room to get even better,” McKinstry concluded. It will be interesting to follow the progress of the Squad’s members and to see how many will eventually make the varsity for IHS.