By Oly Archibald
FIFE — A lot has changed for the Port Angeles boys basketball team — but unfortunately the turnover issues haven’t.
The Roughriders fell on the road at Fife last night, 56–52, in a game that went right down to the wire. Port Angeles turned the ball over seven times in the first seven minutes, yet trailed only 12–10 after the first quarter.
Senior guard Brody Pierce was outstanding, scoring 17 points and knocking down three threes. Senior Hunter Flores added 14 points, including a pair of threes and four free throws.
Fife led 31–30 at the half, then opened the third quarter on an 8–1 run to build a double-digit lead midway through the period. The Riders chipped away and were down 50–43 heading to the fourth. Port Angeles even grabbed a late lead, but turnovers again spoiled their chance at a road win.
Brock Hope scored 8 points while being guarded tightly by the Trojans’ pair of 6’2″ forwards. Junior Daniel Benoit was strong off the bench with 4 points, making a solid case for a move into the starting lineup.
The Roughriders open league play Friday night at North Mason. The Bulldogs lost to North Thurston yesterday, 87–54. You can hear Friday night’s game right here on KONP Newsradio.
Roughrider sophomore Brooke Pierce, a member of Port Angeles’ state tournament soccer team, was the VIP Halftime Show guest last night in Fife.
Elsewhere, Bremerton blasted South Kitsap 94–42, as junior Jalen Davis erupted for 51 points. Davis is rated the 17th-best guard in the nation and holds offers from Gonzaga and Houston.
In girls basketball, Port Angeles was stunned at home by Class 2B Forks, 38–35. Port Angeles rolled Forks last season 44–26, and that Spartans team finished just 10–12.
The Roughriders now have only three practice days to reset their offense before visiting three-time defending state champion Neah Bay on Saturday night. Neah Bay has beaten Port Angeles by an average of 22 points in their last three meetings. That game will also air on KONP Newsradio.
In other PA sports today, the boys swim team hosts the Olympic League Jamboree at 2:30, while Roughrider wrestling heads to Port Townsend for a jamboree starting at 4:30.
And former Peninsula Pirate basketball standout Javon Ervin has transferred from Mount St. Mary’s University to Cal State San Bernardino, a Division II program in the California Collegiate Athletic Association. Ervin helped lead Mount St. Mary’s to the NCAA Tournament last year. This season, he has started five of seven games for the Coyotes, averaging 24 minutes and 10 points per game.
Former Peninsula Pirate Javon Ervin is now a starter for Division II Cal State San Bernardino.