Photo: NK Viking Head Coach Scott Orenes (right) has 300 career wins
POULSBO — The big game to start 2023 in high school basketball will take place in Poulsbo tonight as the Port Angeles boys take on the North Kitsap Vikings. Last year, the two teams spilt their two meetings as the Roughriders and Vikings shared the Olympic League Championship. Both teams are 4-0 in league play and have blown out all of their Olympic league opponents as they did last year. However, neither team has the fire power they did last season.
The Roughriders go into tonight’s game on a 3-game losing streak and the Vikings have lost two games in a row. The Roughriders have a RPI ranking of 17 the Vikings have a #24 ranking. Last year, both teams were consistently ranked in the top 8. The Roughriders are averaging 72 points per game while giving up 50 points per game.
The Vikings are scoring 71 points per game and giving up 62 points per game. Viking head coach Scott Orenes recently won his 300th career game. His son shooting guard Cade Orenes is one of the top shooting guards in the state. Viking assistant coach Josh Perkins agrees saying Orenes is the best class 2A shooter in the state.
Tonight’s game will be carried live on Newsradio KONP (FM 101.7/101.3 and AM 1450) and on the web at myclallamcounty.com. The Les Schwab Tires Roughrider Locker room show starts at 6:45 pm with the tip off at 7 pm. Oly Archibald has the play by play and Joe Gladfelter will have the color commentary.
In other high school basketball action tonight the Sequim Wolves boys will host Kingston at 7pm. In girls action the Roughrider girls will host a solid North Kitsap Viking team at 7 pm and the Sequim Wolves with a #2 RPI state ranking will be big favorites tonight at Kingston.