The Comets (4-4) were led by freshman forward Aubrey Katyryniuk (23) who scored a game-high 18 points in a 45-36 win over Willapa Valley.

Naselle girls basketballThe Naselle girls basketball team notched a crucial 45-36 Columbia Valley League win over Willapa Valley last Wednesday, Jan. 3 in Naselle. It was the first league loss of the season for the Vikings, currently in second place in the 1B Columbia Valley League.

The Comets (4-4) were led by freshman forward Aubrey Katyryniuk, who scored a game-high 18 points, followed by teammates Brooke Davis and Brianna Johnson, who each added 11.

After a close opening quarter, the Comets began to separate in the second period.

“We came out looking to just push and we did that in the second quarter,” said Naselle head coach Marie Green.

“Brianna, Aubrey and Mylee (Dunagan) combined for nine three-pointers. Aubrey was still a little under the weather having picked up a bug over the Christmas break, but she had six of the nine three-pointers,” the coach added. “Brianna and Brooke both went 5-for-8 from the free throw line, which helped us out big-time as well. The girls all came out and played well tonight. I would love to see more girls score, but we did a great job moving the ball around tonight. Gladys (Wilson) hit a beautiful short corner shot off the backboard. I’m so proud of all the girls and playing hard all night.”

Following the emotional win over Willapa Valley, the Comets fell to Pe Ell 55-35 the following night.

The Comets, currently 3-1 in league play, remain in third place behind first-place Mossyrock (3-0) and second-place Willapa Valley (4-1)

Up next: Naselle (4-4) will travel to take on Washington School for the Deaf (4-7) on Thursday, Jan. 11.

Naselle boys basketballThe Naselle boys basketball squad climbed to 8-2 on the season after routing Pe Ell 58-39 and narrowly beating Willapa Valley 65-62 last week, climbing into second place in the 1B Columbia Valley League Standings trailing only Mossyrock.

The Comets and Vikings are both 5-1 in league play, with Naselle’s lone loss coming against Vikings in an 83-59 setback in December.

Up next: Naselle will travel to take on Washington School for the Deaf (5-6) on Thursday, Jan. 11 before hosting a home game against South Bend on Friday, Jan. 12.

Ilwaco boys basketballThe Ilwaco boys basketball team stretched their winning streak to four games after dispatching Chief Leschi (64-53) and North Beach (70-26) last week, improving to 9-3 overall on the season while remaining in first place and undefeated in the 2B Pacific League (5-0).

Up next: Ilwaco will seek to continue their winning ways when they travel to take on Raymond (6-4) on Friday, Jan. 11

Raymond boys basketballFollowing a two-game skid, the Raymond boys basketball team got back in the winning column after crushing South Bend 66-37 last week in South Bend. The Seagulls (6-5) were led by Austin Snodgrass, who scored a team-high 13 points, followed by teammate Issaac Schlueter with 12.

The Seagulls remain in fourth place in a log-jammed 2B Pacific League along with Forks and Chief Leschi each at 4-2, with Ilwaco remaining as the lone team without a league loss in first place.

Up next: Raymond will seek to hand Ilwaco their first league loss when the teams tip off Thursday, Jan. 11 in Ilwaco.

Raymond/South Bend girls basketballThe Raymond/South Bend Ravens girls basketball team slipped to 8-5 on the season after losing back-to-back games to Aberdeen (46-42) and Rainier (71-31).

The Ravens remain in third place in the 2B Pacific League at 3-2, behind first-place Forks and second-place Ilwaco.

Up next: Raymond/South Bend will look to get back on the winning track Wednesday, Jan. 10 when they host Ocosta (4-6).

South Bend boys basketballA young South Bend boys basketball continues their search for the first win of the season after falling to 0-9 following losses to North Beach (46-30) and Raymond (66-37) last week.

Up next: South Bend will have a tough path of upcoming games, including Ilwaco (Jan. 9), Forks (Jan. 11) and Naselle (Jan. 12).

Willapa Valley girls basketballThe Willapa Valley girls basketball team snapped a five-game losing streak after beating Washington School for the Deaf 37-19 last week, improving to 8-6 on the season.

Up next: Willapa Valley will host Columbia Adventist Academy (4-6) Thursday, Jan. 11.

Willapa Valley boys basketballThe Willapa Valley boys basketball slipped below the .500 mark after losing to Naselle 65-62 last week. The Vikings, now 6-7 overall, remain in contention in league play despite the loss, currently in third place (5-1) behind Mossyrock and Naselle.

Up next: Willapa Valley will travel to face Mossyrock on Wednesday, Jan. 10.