Sequim’s Wolves gave their cross-peninsula rivals a handful but were unable to pull off an upset in either home-and-away with the Port Angeles Roughriders last week.
On Feb. 3, Isaiah Moore had 13 and Cole Smithson and Zach Thompson each scored 10 for the Wolves, but Port Angeles prevailed on Sequim’s home court, 62-49.
“Sequim deserves a lot of credit, Sequim executed really well, brought a lot of energy throughout the game and they played very hard,” Riders coach Kasey Ulin said.
John Vaara led all scorers with 21 points and sophomore guard Parker Nickerson added 15 points, six rebounds and three steals.
Two days later, Port Angeles — now ranked No. 8 in the Class 2A WIAA boys basketball RPI after a 4-0 week, including a win over then-No. 6-ranked Sehome — held home court in a 55-33 win over visiting Sequim.
The Riders took the lead on a Wyatt Dunning bucket with 20 seconds remaining in the first quarter. Port Angeles never relinquished the advantage again, even if the outcome wasn’t entirely clear until a dominant fourth quarter.
Scrappy Sequim stuck around for the remainder of the first half, trailing 24-19 at the break, thanks to Smithson’s nine first-half points and a six-point second quarter from Moore.
However, Vaara heated up for the Riders out of the locker room, scoring 14 of his 16 points in the second half, including an efficient stretch of three straight buckets inside in the fourth quarter that showcased his improved footwork and finishing ability.
Port Angeles’ defense also stiffened, holding the Wolves scoreless for a three-minute, eight-second stretch of the third quarter and for nearly six minutes of the final frame. The Riders held Moore scoreless in the second half as well.
Dunning finished with a game-high 20 points while Smithson led Sequim with 15.
Sequim sandwiched the losses to Port Angeles with a 58-38 win at North Mason on Feb. 4; details were not available at press time.
SHS splits with Klahowya, Olympic
The Wolves finished the regular season with a 4-10 Olympic League mark and 6-13 overall record, earning a win at Klahowya on Feb. 7 and falling at Olympic 60-41 on Feb. 8.
Sequim went into the second half down 32-24, but outscored Klahowya 41-28 in the second half. The Wolves had four players in double figures.
Moore had 15 points, while Smithson had 14, Tyler Mooney 12 and Jaydin Possin 11.
“It was good to get an exciting win for our seniors on senior night,” Sequim coach Greg Glasser said. The Wolves’ seniors are Mooney, Possin, Duke Anderson, Adrian Brown, Kristian Mingoy and Pryce Glasser.
Coming up
If the Wolves finish in the top five in league, they’ll be on the road to start the West Central District tourney on Feb. 16, with time, location and opponent to be announced as organizers set the 16-team field.
Games are set for Feb. 16, Feb. 18 and Feb. 19.
The top six teams advance to the regional tournament.
Sequim’s Jayden Possin, with basketball, is trapped by Port Angeles’ Quanah Wheeler, left, and Parker Nickerson during the Wolves’ 62-49 home loss on Feb. 3. Sequim Gazette photo by Emily Matthiessen
Sequim’s Isaac Moore, center, looks for room to put up a shot in the Wolves’ 62-49 loss on Feb. 3. Sequim Gazette photo by Emily Matthiessen
Sequim guard Kristian Mingoy (2) passes to a teammate in the Wolves’ loss to Port Angeles on Feb. 3. Sequim Gazette photo by Emily Matthiessen
Sequim guard Jayden Possin, left, drives past Port Angeles’ Quanah Wheeler in a Feb. 3 Olympic League match-up. Sequim Gazette photo by Emily Matthiessen
