The Astoria junior varsity team huddles during their game against Ilwaco.

ILWACO — The summer prep basketball slate continued last week with local high school basketball teams from around the region converging at Ilwaco High School for the 2024 Battle at the Beach tournament. This time, however, it was the boys’ turn, including an Ilwaco varsity team debuting an entirely new starting lineup.

Twelve teams participated in the three-day tournament, including Ilwaco, Astoria, Seaside, Hockinson, Adna, Woodland, W.F. West, Onalaska, Wahkiakum, Brewster, Naches and La Center.

The La Center Wildcats, who compete in the bigger 1A Trio League, won the varsity bracket while W.F. West won the junior varsity tournament, which concluded on Sunday, June 23.

“The tournament went pretty well,” summed Ilwaco head coach Eric McMillan.

“It had been highly-completive games between the varsity and JV tournaments, but it was a fun weekend at the beach for all those who attended. We got to provide a memorable experience for all the visiting teams who got to enjoy our community; very thankful for all the family members, staff, former and current players, and sponsors who help put it on.”

New starting five

The Ilwaco boys basketball team lost a substantial portion of their league-champion team to graduation, including all five starters and league MVP Beckett Turner and sharpshooter Kyle Morris, who together accounted for more than 2,500 career points.

“For our program, we lost seven seniors (Kyle Morris, Derrick Cutting, Boston Caron, David Roberts, Jacob Rogers, Beckett Turner and Sam Needham) and only return two players (Dylan Pelas and Jacob Gordon) from our varsity rotation,” McMillan said.

“We have a lot of youth in our summer program; nine out of our 20 kids are incoming freshmen plus one eight grader, so it was a great opportunity to get some game experience and start to form what this team’s identity will be.”

McMillan, a 2014 Ilwaco graduate, has guided the Fishermen to a 33-14 overall record as head coach over the past two seasons, including a 22-3 record in league play. He was encouraged by the effort from his young squad last week.

“Being so young, it was encouraging to see our effort and hustle against some of the more physically imposing teams and continue to learn and grow,” he said.

Up next: The Ilwaco boys basketball team will participate in the BNB Camp, held June 24-27.