Naselle freshman Aubrey Katyryniuk (23) drives the lane against Pe Ell.

Ilwaco boys basketball

The Ilwaco boys basketball team (17-6) had their season come to close after a heartbreaking 67-63 overtime loss to Wahkiakum (17-5) in a district tournament loser-out game last Wednesday, Feb. 14, at Castle Rock High School.

Leading by 15 points midway though the third period, Ilwaco seemed destined to advance to the next round. But Wahkiakum went on a 33-18 run over the final 12 minutes, culminating with a three pointer from senior Kyler Sauce (30) that tied the game at 60 at the end of regulation.

The Fishermen will lose a ton of experience from a senior-loaded squad that led them to their second league championship in three years, including all five starters and two 1,000-point scorers. Among the graduating seniors are: Kyle Morris, Derrick Cutting, Boston Caron, David Roberts, Jacob Rogers, Beckett Turner and Sam Needham.

Naselle girls basketball

The Naselle girls basketball team (8-14) concluded their season after losing to Willapa Valley 44-34 in a loser-out district tournament game Thursday, Feb. 15, at Hoquiam High School.

“Tonight my girls played a heck of a game,” said Naselle head coach Marie Green following the season-ending loss.

“We were down and when battling in the third period, we hit some clutch shots that pushed us to tie the game (30-30). We had a momentum swing, but then a lopsided quarter and Valley was able to capitalize on that.”

Naselle fell into a 28-17 second-period hole before battling back to tie the game at 30 late in the third.

“In the first half, Valley was hitting some big outside shots and out-rebounded us, but my girls battled until the end and it was a great way to go out,” Green said. “We would have loved to take a ‘W’ tonight, but it just wasn’t in the cards for us.”

Naselle will lose two players to graduation: Nicole Steenerson and Gladys Wilson.

“We are a super young team and the whole team with the exception of two will be back for next year. And that will be great for us going forward,” Green said.

Ilwaco girls basketball

The Ilwaco girls basketball team (14-8) finished their season after falling to Forks (12-3) 64-44 in a loser-out district tournament matchup last Tuesday, Feb. 13, at Castle Rock High School.

The Lady Fishermen, who finished in second place overall in league play at 7-3, will lose three seniors to graduation: Kaitlyn Banuet, Abbiegail Williams and Natalie Gray.

Willapa Valley girls basketball

The Willapa Valley girls basketball team (9-14) finished their season after losing to Pe Ell 27-21 in a loser-out district tournament game on Saturday, Feb. 17, at Montesano High School. The Vikings will lose three seniors to graduation: Lina Clere, Emily Wilson and Hadlee Russell.

Willapa Valley boys basketball

The Willapa Valley boys basketball team (13-13) wrapped up their season after falling to Columbia Adventist Academy 52-44 last Wednesday, Feb. 25 at Hoquiam High School. The Vikings will lose two seniors to graduation: Aiden Young and Ryan Blankenship.

Raymond/South Bend girls basketball

The Raymond/South Bend girls basketball team (14-8) concluded their season after losing to Toledo 49-43 in a loser-out district tournament matchup last Tuesday, Feb. 13, at Castle Rock High School. The Ravens will lose two seniors to graduation: Kydal Koski and Paige Williams.