By Oly Archibald
SILVERDALE — The Roughrider bowling team earned their biggest win in the program’s history, beating defending Olympic league champion and state power Klahowya 5-2. Kendric Ring bowled a personal best of 141 as did Zoey Penn throwing a 159. Abby Robinson bowled a game high of 169. Paige Pangaro threw a 156 and Zoey Van Gordon bowled a 134.
The Roughriders travel tomorrow to Bremerton.
The Sequim Wolves lost to Olympic 5-2.
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The Roughriders girls basketball team opened up their season last night with a 56 – 38 win over class 2B Forks.
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Kasey Ulin’s Roughrider boys basketball team opens their season tonight at home against the Sammamish Red Hawks. The Red Hawks are coming off a 17-8 season that saw them finish 2nd in the Kingco League with a trip to the state tournament in Yakima. It is a rebuilding season for the Red Hawks who lost their opener at Mercer Island last night 56-38. The Roughriders will have to deal with 6’8″ junior Berry Morrissette.
The Roughriders went 15-9 last year and finished 2nd in the Olympic League, missing the Sweet 16 regional by one game. The Roughriders big issue last year was beating the full court press against elite teams.
The Roughriders have spent the last 11 months getting bigger, faster, and stronger. The seven varsity players who did not play in a fall sport went through a grueling USA Olympic team type conditioning program in the Roughrider weight room. Players such as junior Gus Halberg put on pounds of muscle as did senior Isaiah Shamp who trimmed down and looks great.
In the back court the Roughriders will start 5’9″ senior Kason Albaugh and point guard 5’11” junior Gus Halberg. The forward spots will be held down by 6’5″ senior Dallas Dunning and the very athletic 6’2″ senior Parker Nickerson. 6’5″ senior post Isaiah Shamp looks to have an All-league season. The Roughriders bench is full of athletic bodies and there will be a Pete Carroll type competition to earn playing time.
For the Roughriders to make it back to Yakima in March, their ability to manage full court pressure will be critical. There is not another 2A team in the state that works harder and understands the culture that it takes to return to Yakima. This will be a fun team to watch and a team really deserving of success.
Tonight’s game will be broadcast right here on KONP Newsradio with the pre-game show at 5 pm. Oly Archibald and Bill Bates will have the play by play.