Photo: Sequim Wolves’ guard Bobbi Mixon has had a hot hand
SEQUIM — The “Rally in the Valley” is just a few hours away, as the #1 ranked Neah Bay Red Devils girls basketball team (15-1) invades the Dungeness Valley and Rick Kaps Gymnasium to take on the 2nd-ranked Sequim Wolves who are 18-0. The Wolves gave the Red Devils their only loss early in the season 60-52 in a game the Red Devils led for most of the way. Wolves’ point guard Hannah Bates took the game over in the 4th quarter to give the Wolves the win.
Tonight, injuries could be a big issue for the Wolves, with Jolene Vaara expected out with a Achilles Heel issue and guard Taryn Johnson could be out with a hamstring injury. That would be a loss of 25 points per game for the Wolves and a loss of a lot of size and speed. However the Red Devils will not feel sorry for the Wolves. The Red Devils’ athletic power forward 5’10” junior Ezrah Ray has been out all season with a knee injury but is expected back any day. The Red Devils have had a brutal schedule for a 1B school. They beat #17 Port Angeles at Roughrider Gym 60-41. The Red Devils also defeated 1B #2 Moses Lake Christian, #3 Mossyrock and #7 2B La Conner.
The Red Devils average 62 points per game and give up only 37 points per game. The Wolves average 52 points per game. and give up 37points per game. The Red Devils are loaded on offense led by one of the top shooters in the state in Senior guard Allie Greene. Greene averages 18 points per game and shoots an unbelievable 48% from the 3 point line. Of course, there are 2 Moss sisters on the team of that legacy basketball family. Ryana Moss, a 5’7″ junior, plays all over the court averaging 11 points per game, 7 rebounds a game and shoots 28% from the 3 point stripe. Sophomore and younger sister Cerise Moss averages 7 points per game. By the way, older sister Cherish is the Red Devils’ head coach. Cherish and her younger sister Cierra won an NWAC championship at Peninsula College, and current Peninsula Pirate Ruth Moss is an older sister. Another weapon is 5’8″ junior Amber Swan. Swan averages 8 points per game, 7 rebounds a game and shoots 28% from the 3 point line. Swan had 15 points against Port Angeles.
The Wolves will need sophomore Bobbi Mixson to continue with her hot hand. Mixson has averaged 4 points per game for most of the season but in the last 4 games has scored 12-16 points per game. Look for point guard Hannah Bates to score more often and without question the Wolves will try to pound the rock on the low blocks to 6’0″ senior Jelissa Julmist who is averaging 12 points per game. Julmist has had a great senior season and has NWAC powers such as Skagit Valley and Peninsula interested. The Wolves will need big games from senior Sammie Bacon, junior Dani Herman and especially 5’9″ sophomore Libby Turella who has come on strong this season.
The game will be broadcast live on Newsradio KONP 1450 AM, 101.3 FM in Sequim and 101.7 in Port Angeles. It will be streamed at myclallamcounty.com. The Les Schwab Tires Pre-game Show starts at 5:45 pm with the tip off at 6 pm. On the KONP post game show, the Firehouse Grill Burgers and Fries Player of the Year for the Olympic Peninsula will be awarded a $50 gift certificate. Oly Archibald has the live play by play and Joe Gladfelter has the color commentary.