WINTER PREVIEW-Ilwaco Girls Basketball
LEAGUE: S.W. Washington 1A-Trico Division
Only Kalama follows Ilwaco into the newly restructured 1A division. The rest of the Trico is comprised of Ilwaco's former 2A Trico rivals (Castle Rock, La Center, White Salmon, Stevenson) and a former 2A Evergreen foe (Rochester). Toledo, Ilwaco's nemesis last year, is no longer a league opponent, but waits in the Evergreen (North) half of the district along with former 1A league opponents Onalaska and Winlock. Napavine and White Pass drop down a classification to terrorize the 2B ranks.
HEAD COACH: Ned Bittner (3rd year, 23-28)
ASST COACH: Rob Snow
One of the nice things about coaching a winter sport if you are a football coach: no time to dwell on the disappointments of fall. Bittner's last two teams have played their best in the postseason. This team fell only a game short of the state tournament last year despite a 7th place finish in league, one year after upsetting Toledo to earn a state berth and grabbing a win at Yakima. Bittner's bunch is now an experienced unit that will be operating in a less competitive league after realignment sent two of the District IV powers to a lower classification and separated Ilwaco from this year's favorite (Toledo) during league play. Expectations will be for a winning regular season and a legitimate shot at a state tournament berth come district tournament time in February. Experienced assistant coach Snow, a former head coach in the 80’s and '90's who specialized in shooting technique, returns to the bench after assisting in ’05-06.
2005 RECORD: 10-14 (6-10 S.W.W. 1A League 7th place)
LAST PLAYOFFS: 2-2 at districts, lost to Toledo 54-31 3rd place final
LAST LEAGUE TITLE: 2001 (tied w/Onalaska, won district championship)
LAST STATE TOURNAMENT: 1-2 in 2005, 3rd place in 1995
CURRENT COLLEGE/PRO ATHLETES: none
KEY GRAUDUATES/LOSSES:none
RETURNING ALL-STARS: Anna Kitzman (G, 5-7, SR, 1st-tm all-lg.)
Kitzman, an average athlete, averaged 15.7 points per game with a savvy combination of smarts, strength and sharp shooting. A threat from beyond the arc, Kitzman is most effective selling the long bomb to beat her defender inside, either scoring from 12 feet and in or drawing contact and getting to the line where she shoots above 70%. She shoots from a low trajectory but is able to muscle up inside, powering through contact to get her shot away and draw free throws. Her nickname could be “And 1”. The development of Kitzman’s supporting cast will only make her more effective in 2006-07 and she could lead the Trico in scoring.
RETURNING STARTERS: 5
RETURNING LETTERMEN: 7
Lanie Kary (P, 5-11, SO) and Bonnie Perez (PG, 5-5, SR) were honorable mention all-league selections last year. Kary has a powerful upper body, which allows her to bang inside, but complements that with quick feet and a soft shooting touch that gives her an effective baseline game with range out to 17 feet from the basket. Her feet allow her to defend smaller opponents. Perez has outstanding speed and quickness and is a capable ballhandler, who is not lacking in confidence, but must make better decisions and limit turnovers. She doesn't have a classic outside shot, but will burn you if you leave her alone. Alison Brooks (F, 5-9, SR) and Melany Bliss (P, 5-10, JR) bolster the front line to round out Ilwaco's starting five, which returns intact from last year. Tara Hankins (G, 5-4, SR) and Sara Morris (P, 5-11, SR) were both fulltime varsity players last year, meaning Ilwaco returns as much experience as anybody and a lot of good size, defense and rebounding ability in the post.
KEY NEWCOMERS: Alex Moses (G, Jr.-transfer from R.A. Long), Aimee Banuet (G, Fr.-may swing up to varsity)
TEAM STRENGTH: experience, expect good offensive production
WEAKNESS: team speed
TOP TRICO CONTENDERS:KALAMA, Castle Rock
TOP DISTRICT CONTENDERS: TOLEDO, Forks
TOP 1A CONTENDERS: TOLEDO, Lynden Christian, King's
TOP TRICO PLAYERS:AMANDA CLARK (KALAMA), Lacey Seidl (CASTLE ROCK)
PROJECTED FINISH: contend for league title, district berth to state
It's a question debated all the time. Is it always a positive to return a lot of players from a team that didn't experience much success? Usually, at this level it is, because these are young players still developing physically and emotionally and learning the game. There are certainly pieces in place for a winning season: Kitzman's ability to score and leadership, Kary's versatility and continued development, depth and balance in the post and an experienced point guard. This team should show some advancement in ability and confidence and the depth is superior to last year's club. Ilwaco finished the season strong with two wins at districts and an improved showing against a Toledo club that blew out the Lady Fishermen by 40 points in the playoff opener and dominated the season series with four wins. A top two or three finish in the Trico and top four finish at the district tournament are reasonable goals, which would have the Lady Fishermen returning to that winner-to-state, loser out final game once again.
COACH BITTNER SAYS:"It's kind of nice this year having a few non-league games. The last two years we had to open up against Toledo. I think we have six games before we start league. By the time we start league we should have all the kinks out and be playing some good ball."
"I feel that there's no reason that we can't be a top three team if not battle for a league title. Our goal as soon as we left that locker room last February after we lost to Toledo was to get back to state. We haven't talked about that lately. We've been working hard working on our conditioning and worrying about these early season games, but I feel when we look on paper we have a pretty solid group."
Only Kalama follows Ilwaco into the newly restructured 1A division. The rest of the Trico is comprised of Ilwaco's former 2A Trico rivals (Castle Rock, La Center, White Salmon, Stevenson) and a former 2A Evergreen foe (Rochester). Toledo, Ilwaco's nemesis last year, is no longer a league opponent, but waits in the Evergreen (North) half of the district along with former 1A league opponents Onalaska and Winlock. Napavine and White Pass drop down a classification to terrorize the 2B ranks.
HEAD COACH: Ned Bittner (3rd year, 23-28)
ASST COACH: Rob Snow
One of the nice things about coaching a winter sport if you are a football coach: no time to dwell on the disappointments of fall. Bittner's last two teams have played their best in the postseason. This team fell only a game short of the state tournament last year despite a 7th place finish in league, one year after upsetting Toledo to earn a state berth and grabbing a win at Yakima. Bittner's bunch is now an experienced unit that will be operating in a less competitive league after realignment sent two of the District IV powers to a lower classification and separated Ilwaco from this year's favorite (Toledo) during league play. Expectations will be for a winning regular season and a legitimate shot at a state tournament berth come district tournament time in February. Experienced assistant coach Snow, a former head coach in the 80’s and '90's who specialized in shooting technique, returns to the bench after assisting in ’05-06.
2005 RECORD: 10-14 (6-10 S.W.W. 1A League 7th place)
LAST PLAYOFFS: 2-2 at districts, lost to Toledo 54-31 3rd place final
LAST LEAGUE TITLE: 2001 (tied w/Onalaska, won district championship)
LAST STATE TOURNAMENT: 1-2 in 2005, 3rd place in 1995
CURRENT COLLEGE/PRO ATHLETES: none
KEY GRAUDUATES/LOSSES:none
RETURNING ALL-STARS: Anna Kitzman (G, 5-7, SR, 1st-tm all-lg.)
Kitzman, an average athlete, averaged 15.7 points per game with a savvy combination of smarts, strength and sharp shooting. A threat from beyond the arc, Kitzman is most effective selling the long bomb to beat her defender inside, either scoring from 12 feet and in or drawing contact and getting to the line where she shoots above 70%. She shoots from a low trajectory but is able to muscle up inside, powering through contact to get her shot away and draw free throws. Her nickname could be “And 1”. The development of Kitzman’s supporting cast will only make her more effective in 2006-07 and she could lead the Trico in scoring.
RETURNING STARTERS: 5
RETURNING LETTERMEN: 7
Lanie Kary (P, 5-11, SO) and Bonnie Perez (PG, 5-5, SR) were honorable mention all-league selections last year. Kary has a powerful upper body, which allows her to bang inside, but complements that with quick feet and a soft shooting touch that gives her an effective baseline game with range out to 17 feet from the basket. Her feet allow her to defend smaller opponents. Perez has outstanding speed and quickness and is a capable ballhandler, who is not lacking in confidence, but must make better decisions and limit turnovers. She doesn't have a classic outside shot, but will burn you if you leave her alone. Alison Brooks (F, 5-9, SR) and Melany Bliss (P, 5-10, JR) bolster the front line to round out Ilwaco's starting five, which returns intact from last year. Tara Hankins (G, 5-4, SR) and Sara Morris (P, 5-11, SR) were both fulltime varsity players last year, meaning Ilwaco returns as much experience as anybody and a lot of good size, defense and rebounding ability in the post.
KEY NEWCOMERS: Alex Moses (G, Jr.-transfer from R.A. Long), Aimee Banuet (G, Fr.-may swing up to varsity)
TEAM STRENGTH: experience, expect good offensive production
WEAKNESS: team speed
TOP TRICO CONTENDERS:KALAMA, Castle Rock
TOP DISTRICT CONTENDERS: TOLEDO, Forks
TOP 1A CONTENDERS: TOLEDO, Lynden Christian, King's
TOP TRICO PLAYERS:AMANDA CLARK (KALAMA), Lacey Seidl (CASTLE ROCK)
PROJECTED FINISH: contend for league title, district berth to state
It's a question debated all the time. Is it always a positive to return a lot of players from a team that didn't experience much success? Usually, at this level it is, because these are young players still developing physically and emotionally and learning the game. There are certainly pieces in place for a winning season: Kitzman's ability to score and leadership, Kary's versatility and continued development, depth and balance in the post and an experienced point guard. This team should show some advancement in ability and confidence and the depth is superior to last year's club. Ilwaco finished the season strong with two wins at districts and an improved showing against a Toledo club that blew out the Lady Fishermen by 40 points in the playoff opener and dominated the season series with four wins. A top two or three finish in the Trico and top four finish at the district tournament are reasonable goals, which would have the Lady Fishermen returning to that winner-to-state, loser out final game once again.
COACH BITTNER SAYS:"It's kind of nice this year having a few non-league games. The last two years we had to open up against Toledo. I think we have six games before we start league. By the time we start league we should have all the kinks out and be playing some good ball."
"I feel that there's no reason that we can't be a top three team if not battle for a league title. Our goal as soon as we left that locker room last February after we lost to Toledo was to get back to state. We haven't talked about that lately. We've been working hard working on our conditioning and worrying about these early season games, but I feel when we look on paper we have a pretty solid group."
posted by Matt Richert at 2:35 PM
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