By Oly Archibald
PORT ANGELES — The Port Angeles boys basketball team, 9–9 overall and 8–6 in league play, opens the District 3 playoffs at home tomorrow night as the #7 seed.
The Roughriders will face Orting, the #10 seed, in a loser-out game. Orting is 7–12 overall and 6–8 in league play, finishing fifth in the South Puget Sound League.
The Cardinals lost a close game to Olympic League member Kingston 57–54, but picked up a 71–57 win over Olympic. Orting has lost five of its last six games, averaging 54 points per game while allowing 53.
Port Angeles enters on a three-game losing streak and has dropped four of its last six, averaging 55 points per game and giving up 54.
For the Roughriders to make a run, strong guard play will be critical. Senior Brody Pierce leads the team at 18 points per game, while junior guard Ashton Gedelman contributes 5 points per game.
The Roughriders will need strong backcourt play from Ashton Gedelman and Brody Pierce to make a run to regionals.
If Port Angeles gets past Orting, the Roughriders will travel to face #2 seed Clover Park (17–4) Tuesday night. Clover Park is known for its lightning-quick pace and four quarters of full-court pressure. Senior Hunter Flores, averaging 15 points per game, could be a key matchup inside against Clover Park’s smaller lineup.
Tomorrow night’s game will be broadcast on KONP Newsradio. Greg Thomas will have the play-by-play, Kylar McCaslin provides color commentary, and Dustin Clark serves as game analyst. Pre-game starts at 4:45, with tip-off at 5:00.
Roughriders Lindsay Smith and Sariah Doherty share a smile on the KONP Newsradio postgame show while awaiting their opponent for Wednesday night’s home District 3 playoff game.
Also today, the Port Angeles flag football team takes on Lynden in the state playoffs. That game is in Federal Way with an 11:30 start.
In NWAC basketball action tomorrow, the Peninsula Pirate men face a big road test at Edmonds, tipping off at 2:00. The Pirates are 4–6 in Northern Conference play, tied with Everett for the fourth and final playoff spot. Edmonds sits one game ahead at 5–5 and beat Peninsula 69–58 in their first meeting.
The third-ranked Pirate women, 18–4 overall and 10–0 in conference, will look to extend their 51-game Northern Conference winning streak. Peninsula defeated Edmonds 78–40 in the first meeting, with Hayley Ostrander leading the way with 18 points.
Pirates sophomore Hayley Ostrander scored 16 points in Peninsula’s 78–40 win over Edmonds in their first meeting.
Tip-off for that game is 4:00.