Ilwaco senior Natalie Gray (34) drives the lane for a contested shot as Ellie Graham (20) defends.

ILWACO — The bigger the school, the harder they fall.

The Ilwaco Lady Fishermen basketball team improved to 7-4 on the season after thumping Hoqiuam 75-30 on Saturday, Jan. 6 in Ilwaco, led by a concerted effort from a trio of underclassmen.

It was the second time this season the Lady Fishermen — who compete in the 2B Pacific League — have slayed a team from the (bigger) 1A Evergreen League, including a thorough 67-38 thrashing of Tenino in December.

A jumper from Ilwaco senior guard Kaitlyn Banuet (4) capped a 6-0 Lady Fishermen run to open the game before Hoqiuam answered with a 6-0 run of their own, tying the game at 6 midway through the first period.

It would be the last time Hoqiuam would be within striking distance of the home team.

Ilwaco found the hot hand in freshman power forward Ana Petry (14), who would go on to score 10 of the next 13 Lady Fishermen points as the home team opened up a 24-11 lead at the first period buzzer.

Ilwaco freshman point guard Brooklyn Avalon (11) started the second period with a trey before sophomore guard Sofia Bittner (3) began a scoring outburst of her own, accounting for 11-straight points and forcing two Hoqiuam timeouts as the Ilwaco lead grew to 40-18 midway through the second period.

Ilwaco freshman Mikaila Wafield (32) closed out the opening half scoring the final four points, part of a 12-point first half for the forward as the Lady Fishermen took a 49-22 lead into the half.

The 75-point outburst last weekend was the highest point total Ilwaco has scored this season, and the most Hoquiam has allowed. The Lady Fishermen, now on a three-game winning streak, are currently second in the 2B Pacific League standings at 3-1, trailing only 4-0 Forks.

Up next: Ilwaco (7-4) will host league rival Raymond/South Bend (8-5) Friday, Jan. 12 in Ilwaco.