BY OLY ARCHIBALD

SEQUIM — After watching yesterday’s Stevens-Sequim middle school basketball games, one thing is for certain:
Sequim Wolves fans won’t have to wait long to see major talent stepping up for the varsity team next season. For the Roughriders, there is serious talent on the way, with size in the seventh-grade team and a standout point guard with the last name of Long.

The Stevens seventh graders defeated Sequim 37-16. Though undersized, the Wolves hung in there, but Stampeders power forward Pepper McCaslin was unstoppable in the low post. McCaslin matched her average game with 14 points, and in two years, she will undoubtedly be a solid player for the Roughriders’ varsity team.

The Stevens 7th graders are loaded with talent, featuring guards Madi Wright, Lucy Long, and power forward Pepper McCaslin. The trio combined for 27 points against Sequim.

Guard Madi Wright was impressive, scoring 7 points while showing solid ball-handling skills and driving the ball inside.
Point guard Lucy Long plays just like her big sister, Millie. Long is excellent at quickly looking up the floor and getting the ball to her teammates streaking toward the basket. She can also attack the paint and hit soft floaters, finishing with 6 points against Sequim.

It was a complete team effort, as five other Stampeders made their way into the scorebook:

• Camila Galvin
• Kaleah Quilt
• Mila Johnson
• Mattie Dunning
• Kenzie Smith

Each scored 2 points.

For the Wolves, small forward Emma Bixby was solid, finishing with 6 points. The guard combination of Emmelia Henrickson and Lucy Greenwalt played well against a strong Stevens team. Henrickson contributed 6 points, while Greenwalt added 2.

The Sequim 7th-grade backcourt of Lucy Greenwalt, Emmelia Henrickson, and Emma Bixby has the Wolves program in good shape.

Eighth-Grade Game

In the eighth-grade game, it was Sequim’s turn to showcase some major league talent.

For basketball aficionados who have heard rumors about Jordyn Julmist’s abilities but have not seen her play, the rumors are true—Jordyn can flat-out play. Both she and teammate Emma Desjardins would be starters for the Sequim High School team right now.

Julmist did it all, scoring 24 points.

Emma Desjardins, already a highly regarded soccer prospect, stands out on the basketball court with her athleticism and physical presence. She can play any position on the floor. Watching Desjardins and Julmist play for Sequim High School next season will be worth the price of admission.

Desjardins scored 10 points and was a force on defense, grabbing rebounds all over the court.

Power forward Charlotte Nolan could also see varsity time next season. Alexis Sterrett added 4 points, while Abella Henning and Charlotte Nolan each scored 2 points.

Sequim 8th graders Emma Desjardins, Jordyn Julmist, and Charlotte Nolan are ready to play for Sequim High School right now.

For the Stampeders:

• Darcy Ring played well, scoring 7 points.
• Kya Baker contributed 6 points.
• Mya Hill added 4 points.
• Mariah Disque and Nyah Langdon each scored 2 points.

NWAC Action: Peninsula Pirates

The Peninsula Pirates needed a home win over Whatcom, and they delivered in dominant fashion, blowing out the Orcas 97-74.

The red-hot Pirates jumped out to an incredible 56-20 halftime lead.

Shooting guard Isaiah Lopez had another strong performance, leading the way with 24 points and 7 assists.
Jaiden Blackmon added 22 points.

Deshawn Rushmeyer and Antonio Odum each scored 14 points, with Odum also pulling down 11 rebounds.

Cinco McBeal contributed 9 points. Former Roughrider Isaiah Shamp scored 8 points, while Akeem Sulaiman added 6 points along with 10 rebounds.

The Pirates (4-4 in conference play, 10-11 overall) take on eighth-ranked Edmonds on Saturday at Edmonds, with tipoff at 2:00 p.m. The women’s game will follow at 4:00 p.m. Both games will be broadcast live on KONP Newsradio.

High School Basketball: Huge Night for Sequim

One of the biggest home games in Sequim Wolves basketball history takes place tonight as the fifth-ranked Bremerton Knights attempt to clinch the Olympic League Championship.

A Wolves upset win tonight, followed by a win at North Kitsap tomorrow night, would give Sequim a co-championship with the Knights.

Bremerton (11-1 league, 13-4 overall) comes to town with 6’3″ sophomore Jalen Davis, who is averaging 26 points per game and has drawn interest from major college basketball programs nationwide.

It will be the final home league game for Wolves seniors Ethan Melnick, Charlie Grider, and Jamison Gray.

Tonight’s game will be broadcast live on KONP Newsradio, with the Les Schwab Tires Pre-Game Show starting at 6:45 p.m. Oly Archibald, Joe Gladfelter, and Bill Bates will provide live play-by-play coverage. Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m.

Other Matchups

• The Roughrider boys will host Kingston at 7:00 p.m., marking the final home game for seniors Gus Halberg, Blake Sohlberg, Alex Angevine, and Keatyn Hoch.
• The Roughrider girls travel to Kingston, and the Sequim girls travel to Bremerton, with both games starting at 7:00 p.m.