Freshman Mikaila Warfield demonstrates concentration, balance and coordination during a drill at practice in the Ilwaco gym. Warfield had a stellar season last year as an eighth grader and is expected to play a key role as the Lady Fishermen work to repeat as 2B Pacific League champions.

Coach Ned Bittner’s excitement level for basketball is high.

Ilwaco Girls Basketball

Ilwaco Girls Basketball

Dec. 2 Adna (a)

Dec. 7 Raymond-South Bend (a)

Dec. 9 Tenino (a)

Dec. 12 Forks (h)

Dec. 15 Mossyrock (a)

Dec. 19 Ocosta (h)

Dec. 21 Naselle (h)

Dec. 29-30 Christmas tourney TBA

2024

Jan. 2 Chief Leschi (a)

Jan. 4 North Beach (a)

Jan. 6 Hoquiam (h)

Jan. 12 Raymond-South Bend (h)

Jan. 13 Onalaska (h)

Jan. 17 Forks (a)

Jan. 19 Willapa Valley (a)

Jan. 22 Toledo (a)

Jan. 24 Ocosta (a)

Jan. 26 Chief Leschi (h)

Jan. 30 North Beach (h)

Post-season TBA

Varsity home games 7 p.m.

This season will be his 20th year, and he is eager to get started.

Last season’s revelation at Ilwaco High School was the emergence of Mikaila Warfield, then an eighth-grader. With senior teammate Olivia McKinstry, she was named to the 2B Pacific League all-league first team.

Bittner was named coach of the year in a season characterized by the sisterhood of McKinstry and fellow seniors Ione Sheldon, Zoey Zuern, Chloe Springer and Julianna Fleming, all now graduated.

They had played together since fourth grade, swearing a pinkie oath to seal their dream of concluding their school basketball careers playing at state.

It was not to be. The Fishermen’s season ended in tears at the Castle Rock gym when Raymond standout Karsyn Freeman, then a sophomore, poured in 30 points in a loser-out playoff, confirming her selection as the league’s most valuable player.

But until that evening, Warfield’s debut season had been characterized by confidence on the court and points on the scoreboard. She is back and will form a starting line-up with fellow freshman Brooklyn Avalon, sophomore Sophia Bittner and two seniors, Natalie Gray and Kaitlyn Banuet.

At an early practice, Warfield was keen to share any applause. “I had a lot of support from teammates,” she said. “They helped a lot.

“Now I am really excited for the season. The girls are working really hard and all the girls have their hearts in this.”

Her view was echoed by Sophia Bittner, equally eager for challenges ahead. “It’s rebuilding, but we are coming together well,” the sophomore said. “We will have a good season, as long as we push each other.”

As well as the starting corps, Coach Bittner sees Madison Key, Ana Petry, Abbie Williams and Marlee Hughes stepping up, as the team seeks to meet its first goal — repeating as league champions.

The season begins with three road trips, Dec. 2 at Adna, Dec. 7 at Raymond and Dec. 9 at Tenino, before Ilwaco opens its home campaign Dec. 12 against Forks. Bittner sees Forks and the combined Raymond-South Bend squad as the Fishermen’s two main rivals for league. In the region, he is watchful of Napavine, Adna, Rainier and Toutle Lake. Napavine placed fourth in the WIAA state championship, with Adna finishing sixth; Rainier went 1-2 at state.

The South County “bragging rights” game against 1B Naselle will take place in the Ilwaco gym Dec. 21.

Bittner is again assisted by coach Justin Russell, who has served with him for eight years.