The Ilwaco winning combination consists of coaches Joy Bickle, Brian Bickle and Estella Sheldon with Lillian Hayes, Sophia Williams, Piper Johnson, Katrina Bickle, Charis Bickle and Lily Scamman. In front are Ella Benson, Monroe Semeli and Ariya McClure. Not pictured are Bridget Binion and Summer Zinsli.

Girls basketball is alive and well in Ilwaco.

A travel team has qualified for the Washington state middle school-age tournament in Spokane March 7-9. The 12th annual event features players in grades fourth through eighth; Ilwaco will compete in the seventh-grade division.

Team members are Lillian Hayes, Sophia Williams, Piper Johnson, Katrina Bickle, Lily Scamman, Ella Benson, Monroe Semeli, Ariya McClure, Bridget Binion and Summer Zinsli. Brian Bickle is head coach with assistants Joy Bickle and Estella Sheldon.

Many of the athletes play in programs through the Dylan Jude Harrell Community Center, then once the recreational season is over they form a travel team to participate in more competitive tournaments.

At the 2025 Clatskanie Tiger Basketball Tournament, the team came home with an impressive plaque after winning the eighth-grade division — with all sixth graders and two seventh-grade girls.

The squad won two of three games in the seeding round, losing only to Battle Ground in overtime. In the championship game, the two teams met again and Ilwaco won 20-16. “It was very much a ‘David-vs.-Goliath’ moment and my favorite victory in 19 years of coaching,” said Brian Bickle.

McClure, a sixth grader, was the top scorer in the championship game with nine points; she also tallied four steals, two blocks, three rebounds and an assist. Johnson, a seventh grader, scored seven points and racked up eight steals, four blocks and seven rebounds. Williams and Semeli were also on the scoresheet.

To raise money for the team to compete on the east side of the state, the Dunes Bible Camp at 23515 Pacific Way in Ocean Park will host an espresso bar fundraiser 9 a.m. to noon March 1.