Photo: Roughrider senior Gus Halberg had a solid game against #1 ranked North Kitsap, hitting for 12 points and making several clutch plays
By Oly Archibald
PORT ANGELES — Last night, the basketball aficionados that packed Roughrider gym saw the Port Angels Roughriders play some of their best basketball of the year against the #1 ranked North Kitsap Vikings. Unfortunately, you have to play near perfect basketball to even come close to the Vikings as the purple team from Poulsbo broke the Roughriders hearts with a 76-71 win that went down to the final seconds.
The Roughriders fell behind by 14 points in the first half but went on a late 1st half run to pull the Roughriders to within 4 points at 38-34. The Roughriders outscored the Vikings 20-18 in the 3rd quarter to pull the Roughriders to within 2 points at 56-54. The 4th quarter had the fans on the edge of their seats as both teams traded buckets with the Roughriders twice taking the lead. Viking sharpshooter Harry Davies hit 2 big 3-point shots down the stretch and Cade Orness with the score tied at 71, hit a 3-point shot with 20 seconds left. The Roughriders had a chance to tie the game up with a 3-point shot with 13 seconds left but could not get off a shot.
Roughrider senior guard Parker Nickerson was spectacular and the best player on the court for much of the game, hitting for 23 points and time after time producing big steals and shots to keep the Roughriders in the game.
Isaiah Shamp played like an all-state post, as he hit for 24 points and hitting clutch free throws down the stretch. Roughrider junior point guard Gus Halberg was more than solid as PA overall kept their turnovers down and Halberg made several clutch plays and scored 12 points.
The Roughriders now need to figure out how they can bottle up the energy and play like they did last night on the road to district and the Regional. If they do Roughrider fans can make their reservations for Yakima.
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Speaking of state in Yakima, the Roughrider girls put on another solid performance with a 46-32 win over the Vikings. Roughrider senior Paige Mason was outstanding hitting for 14 points and her usual physical control of the paint and glass hauling down rebounds. Lexie Smith had one of the best games of her career, scoring 13 points from all over the floor. Little sister Lindsay Smith, playing with a sore wrist, was solid with 8 points and point guard Izzy Felton scored 6 points and again did a great job of running the Roughrider offense. The Roughriders, now 10-1 12-6 travel to Kingston on Thursday.
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Speaking of the Kingston Buccaneers, in what was supposed to be a tight game the Sequim Wolves demolished Kingston 76-45. Jolene Vaara dominated the game with 22 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists and 5 steals. Junior Libby Turella hit for 21 points, hitting 3 of 6, 3-point shots. Gracie Chartraw hit for 15, pulled down 6 rebounds and had 8 assists.
Libby Turella hit for 21 points and Gracie Chartraw scored 15 points in the Wolves 7645 blow out at Kingston
The Wolves, playing their best basketball of the year, host Olympic Thursday night.
The Sequim Wolves boys beat Kingston 63-50. The Wolves might want to send roses to the Olympic Trojans because they knocked off North Mason giving Sequim sole possession of the 4th and final district spot.
Jeracko Julmist made his first appearance of the year, hitting for 10 points as did Lars Wiker. A win at Olympic on Thursday should close the deal on the Wolves for getting the 4th district spot.