Sequim sophomore Riley Cowan and his fellow Wolves kept Centralia’s high-scoring senior in check, but the visiting Tigers still managed to come away with a 60-45 non-league win in Sequim on Dec. 20.

Hodges Bailey scored 18 points to lead Centralia (4-2) to victory over the Wolves (1-6), pulling away after holding a modest 33-27 lead at halftime.

“We’ve got to be more physical out there (but) I think we showed Centralia we can play some physical ball,” Sequim coach Greg Glasser said.

“Overall I’m proud of the effort. I think we competed. This was a good game for us to have.”

Cowan, whom Glasser has used as a defensive stopper, drew the primary assignment on the high-scoring Bailey, who shot 6-of-15 from the field.

“Obviously, we were focused on trying to slow (Hodges) down,” Glasser said. “Riley’s a tough competitor. I thought he did a nice job.”

Cowan was productive on the offensive end as well, tying Payton Glasser for the team lead with 12 points.

After missing a game because of a family commitment, starting point guard Nate Despain added eight points, four assists and four rebounds for the Wolves. He and Cowan each hit two 3-pointers.

Greg Glasser noted that several Port Angeles players were in the stands doing some informal scouting of the Wolves for their Jan. 3 Olympic League showdown.

Before that, however, the Wolves are on the road for two more non-league games over the winter break.

Sequim is in Seattle to take on Archbishop Murphy (4-2) on Dec. 28 and host The Northwest School, an independent, on Dec. 29.

There, the Wolves will look to snap their six-game losing skid.

“I don’t know where these guys are going to be by the end of the year,” Greg Glasser said of his team, “but our motto is we just want to … compete and get better. These guys just want to get a win. I don’t blame them.”