Photo: Freshmen Teanna Clark is part of a prized incoming Roughrider class

PORT ANGELES — Even though Christmas is six weeks away, Santa Claus has come early for 12-year Port Angeles Roughrider Girls Basketball Head Coach Mike Poindexter. Poindexter, at the ancient Roughrider Gymnasium, unwrapped a special gift box of a heralded freshman basketball class. It’s one Dick Vitale would call his “Diaper Dandies”! It’s also one of those classes where the kids started playing early as a group. How they carry themselves at practice shows it’s a group eager and hungry to put on the green and white and continue the Roughrider’s Olympic League domination.

Poindexter gets a big grin on his face and his eyes sparkle when asked about this special class. Three of the first-year students; Teanna Clark, Kennedy Roglien and Lindsay Smith; could see full- time varsity action. The Roughriders went 17-8, were district champions last year making it to the state tournament in Yakima. The Roughriders lost Eve Burke (Linfield) and Bailee Larson (LCC).  The Roughriders return team leader senior Anna Petty who at the end of the season was averaging 14-20 points per game. Poindexter calls Petty the best defensive player in the Olympic League.  The Roughriders bring back Piper Williams, Izzy Felton, Lexie Smith and Paige Mason; players who have seen varsity time. Mason will be out until mid December with a soccer injury. Poindexter also likes sophomore Tatum Moses. Poindexter says the other freshman and JV players will have a chance to earn varsity minutes in the early part of the season. The Roughriders will use multiple defenses using the team’s outstanding athletic ability to start the season. The Roughriders will be favored with Sequim to compete for the Olympic League and district championships.

Rumor has it Santa Claus has already reserved a motel room in Yakima for the first weekend of March, switching his red and white uniform for a green and white one.  That would be Mike Poindexter’s Christmas wish!