Ilwaco Gains Momentum in the Trico

Sometimes, I speak too quickly or have a short memory. Both conditions were in force this morning as I wrote that I was only surprised about Forks 61-49 defeat of Toledo. Right after I read a post about Toledo's loss, another post informed the world of the Ilwaco girls defeat of Castle Rock.

My instinct was to look for reason why Castle Rock lost. Could it be that Lacey Seidl didn't play after her injury on Tuesday night? Did Ilwaco have a gimmick defense that shut her down? I was assured that she played and was a big part of the game.

Castle Rock's Lacey Seidl shooting a free throw against Stevenson.

It was simple. Ilwaco outplayed the Lady Rockets in their gym. It happens and while we try to build up teams to be unbeatable, every coach expects his or her team to have a chance to win against anyone when the ball is tipped. The Ilwaco girls have the upper hand in this match-up, but there are obstacles ahead. The Lady Fishers are tied for the Trico league lead with La Center at 3-0. Castle Rock is now 2-1.

Ilwaco gets to take their momentum to La Center next Friday, January 23rd.

Castle Rock Shows Versatility in League Victory

From a sloppy start, the Castle Rock Lady Rockets left no doubt they are a force to be reckoned with as they defeated Stevenson 50-24 in a Trico League game on Monday evening.

Senior Guard Lacey Seidl finished a transition lay-in ahead of Stevenson's Jen Rathgeber during the Lady Rockets 50-24 victory over the Bulldogs on Tuesday night.

The Lady Bulldogs came out quickly with a 4-2 lead but couldn’t cash in on the aggressive, foul-prone play of Castle Rock in the 1st quarter. Powder blue at the free throw line was a common sight as Castle Rock was guilty of 12 fouls in the first half, but converted charity shots were few and far between. Stevenson made just 4 of 14 free-throws in the first two quarters.

The initial half was also a tale of two quarters. Castle Rock led by a slim margin of just 11-8 after the 1st, but in the first 2:15 of the 2nd quarter, the Rockets blasted off on a 14-0 run that led to a 29-12 halftime advantage.

Make no mistake, Castle Rock’s offense goes through 5’6 Senior Guard Lacey Seidl who scored 20 points and accomplished 8 thefts in less 3 quarters of play but the Lady Rockets pass on few open shots. Kayleigh Klingberg added 12 points and 9 rebounds while sharpshooter Kelsey Bishop contributed 9 points.

“When Kelsey and Taylor are shooting the ball well, we are pretty tough to defend because Lacey is so quick and gets the ball to the open man, “ said Castle Rock Head Coach Scott Spencer. “When they are shooting like that, we are a pretty tough team to beat“.

Action and scoring ground to a halt in the 3rd with a technical foul on Stevenson’s Mandy Stump for a flagrant foul. Two exchanges later Stump and Seidl had a violent collision in the front court while pursuing a lose ball. Stump hobbled off the floor not to return while Seidl continued to play briefly.

A few minutes later, Seidl was involved in another collision as she attempted a transition lay-up and chipped a tooth when she struck the floor, apparently face-first. She did not return to the game.

By the time of Seidl’s injury, the game belonged to Castle Rock. Bench players came into to assure the contest got into the records.

“Two freshmen, Maddie Klingberg and Bailey Mitchell that went in and played real well and got some quality minutes and that is what you need out of your subs,” assured Spencer. “You need them to get on the floor and not make mistakes, take care of the basketball and get a rebound and play some defense. And of course, (Junior) Kayleigh Kingberg kind of took over when Lacey was gone. She is coming into her own. They just fill the gaps,” said Spence of his bench players. “Certainly when Lacey is not on the floor, we are a different team, but I thought they did a good job“.

Spencer was also pleased with his undersized team on the boards who out rebounded Stevenson on both offensive and defensive boards. Smanatha Moore grabbed 11 rebounds for the Rockets.

“I was very pleased with Sam Moore inside, blockin’ out and getting some boards for us. She is just a hustler,” Spencer admitted.

Castle Rock (6-1 and 2-0) will host a non-conference game with Astoria next Tuesday. Stevenson (4-7 and 0-2) will host league leading La Center on Friday.

Stevenson 8 4 6 6-24
Castle Rock 11 18 12 9-50

STEVENSON
Kelsey Penner 9, Mandy Stump 6, Jen Rathgeber 0 Amanda Picklesimer 5, Taylor Mesa 0, Rebekaah Hodges 0, Chaleah Stump 0, Chelsea Zibolsky 2, Kali Stump 2, Deara Canada 0
CASTLE ROCK
Smaantha Moore 2, Kayleigh Klingberg 12, Bailey Mitchell 0, Chelseas Mitchell 0, Lacey Seidl 20, Kelsey Bishop 9, Megan Moore 5, Ashley Moore 0, Maddi Klingberg 2, Taylor Swandon 0.



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