SEQUIM — If you were from another planet wanting to see what all the noise was about in high school basketball, then Rick Kaps Gymnasium was the place to be last night. It was an electric atmosphere as the Sequim Wolves took both the girls and boys games last night against their rival Port Angeles Roughriders.
The young Roughrider girls played the 2nd-ranked Wolves tough for 3 quarters before running out of gas in the 4th quarter as the Wolves won 57-46. With junior forward Jolene Vaara out with an Achilles tendon issue, other leaders of the pack had to step up and they did. The young Roughriders played a great first half. Freshman Teanna Clark, sophomore Lexie Smith and senior Anna Petty all played well, all three Roughriders scored 9 points for the game and Paige Mason added 8 points. Piper Williams added 5 points. The score was tied 26-26 at the half when Wolves 6’0″ senior Jelissa Julmist went to work. Julmist scored 16 of her 18 points in the 2nd half and the Wolves led after 3 quarters 40-30. Hannah Bates also took charge and scored 11 points and sophomore Bobbi Mixon hit double figures again with 11 points. Libby Turella hit for 7 points and 6’0″ junior Dani Herman had the best game of her varsity career hitting for 6 points.
The Wolves will now host #1 ranked Neah Bay next Tuesday night at 6 pm. The Sequim Wolves were ranked #4 in the state today by the Associated Press poll.
—
The Sequim Wolves-Port Angeles Roughriders boys game was a down-to-the-wire classic. The game featured several lead changes, tied scores and neither team leading by more than 8 points. Rick Kaps Gym was a carnival of sound, color and action. The Wolves hung on to beat the Roughriders 60-57. It’s the first time Sequim has defeated the Roughriders since 2016, 36-34 at Sequim.
Last night was a complete team win by the Wolves. Like the Druid Pack in Yellowstone, the Dungeness Wolf pack surrounded their prey and feasted off Roughrider mistakes that led to fast break layups. The Wolves led 17-16 after the first quarter and the game was tied 32-32 at the half. That’s when Sequim went to work out scoring the Riders 20-13 in the 3rd quarter for a 52-45 lead to begin the 4th quarter.
Wolves junior Keenan Green was big time, hitting three long-distant 3-point shots and having game high honors with 13 points. Brett Mote hit for 12 points, Zack Thompson and Isaiah Moore each hit for 11 points. Vincent Carrizosa hit for 7 points. For the heartbroken Roughriders, who have seen more than their share of tough losses, Parker Nickerson again tried to will the Roughriders to a win. Nickerson had 20 points and Isaiah Shamp had a hard-earned 14 points. No other Roughrider had more than 5 points.
The Roughriders and Wolves now wait for the district tournament that starts February 15th.