Ilwaco freshman Mikaila Warfield (32) rises for a shot attempt as Naselle sophomore Haylee Rose (12) defends.

ILWACO — The Ilwaco girls basketball team notched their fifth straight win after beating rival Naselle 68-28 in the Pacific County rivalry known as the ‘Bear River Battle’ last Wednesday in Ilwaco.

Since opening the season with a loss to Adna, the Lady Fishermen (5-1) have reeled off five consecutive wins, including Raymond/South Bend (53-51), Tenino (67-38), Mossyrock (35-30), Ocosta (71-49) and now Naselle.

‘Bear River Battle’

Bragging rights and a championship belt were on the line last Wednesday in a Pacific County rivalry between a red-hot Lady Fishermen squad and a fast-improving Comet team in a game dubbed the ‘Bear River Battle,’ named after a local river that serves as a dividing line between the neighboring schools.

Ilwaco wasted little time in building a double-digit lead in the first period, racing out to a 12-2 advantage that featured full-court pressure and a trio of baskets from freshman forward Mikaila Warfield (32).

Naselle freshman guard Sofia Colombo (13) stopped the bleeding with a three-pointer, cutting the lead to single digits late in the first period (12-5), but it would be as close as the Comets would come.

Warfield continued her scoring onslaught in the second period, including six straight points as the Lady Fishermen lead swelled to 27-10 at the half.

In the third period, Ilwaco point guard Brooklyn Avalon and guard Sofia Bittner alternated baskets as the Lady Fishermen’s lead ballooned to 40-11 midway through the third period, culminating in a convincing 68-28 Ilwaco victory.

In the junior varsity game, Ilwaco won 45-21.

The Lady Fishermen, at 2-0 in 2B Pacific League play, are currently in first place and the lone team yet to suffer a league loss. Forks remains in second, followed by Raymond/South Bend.

Up next: Ilwaco (5-1) will host Seton Catholic (2-3) on Friday, Dec. 29 in Ilwaco. Naselle (3-4) will travel to take on Raymond/South Bend (6-3) on Thursday, Dec. 28.