Sequim’s girls basketball squad saw its run at a district title end in the championship game, but the Wolves are headed on to regionals after taking second at last week’s West Central District tourney.
Sequim (20-2) won two of thee games, including a come-from-behind thriller over Enumclaw in the semifinals.
The Wolves, ranked No. 2 among the WIAA 2A schools by RPI prior to districts, have the No. 8 in the state tournament and will face undefeated Ellensburg — the No. 1-ranked team in the state, with a 21-0 record — at 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24, at Ellensburg.
The Bulldogs, the defending state 2A champs owners of a 47-game-winning streak, are the only team to host a regional game.
Both teams advance to the state 2A tourney in Yakima in early March, with the winning team earning a first round bye and the losing squad taking on either Sehome of Sammamish on Wednesday, March 1.
White River, a team ranked No. 10 in RPI that placed third in the West Central District tournament, received a higher seed (seventh) in regionals than both Sequim and district champion Renton, who received a No. 11 seed.
Renton, who beat Port Angeles in the opening round at districts, faces the state 14th-seeded Roughriders again in a loser-out contest at regionals at 6 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 24.
Wolves fall in title game
After Sequim took an 11-10 lead after one quarter, Renton — the district tourney’s third seed, surged ahead with strong efforts in the second and third quarters to lead 39-29 going into the final quarter, and fending off an SHS comeback for a 43-39 win in Belfair Saturday night.
“They did a great job penetrating the gaps and shooting the ball from deep,” Sequim coach Joclin Julmist said following the loss.
SHS forward Jolene Vaara had 18 points and eight rebounds, all on the offensive glass, and Jelissa Julmist added nine points and 11 rebounds.
But the Wolves struggled shooting the ball, hitting just 16-of-55 (29.1 percent) from the field overall and just 3-of-22 (13.6 percent) from 3-point range.
“We didn’t play our game tonight; we shot too many threes and didn’t get the ball on the inside or … move the ball on offense,” Jocline Julmist said.
Hannah Bates added six points, three assists and six steals and Sammie Back chipped in with seven rebounds.
“The girls fought hard to get back in the game in the last quarter but couldn’t overcome the deficit,” Joclin Julmist said.
Sequim rallies in semifinals
The Wolves girls basketball squad shrugged off a poor night shooting — and a nine-point halftime deficit — to knock off Enumclaw 60-55 in the district tourney semifinal Feb. 16 in Highline.
The win set the program record for wins in a season (20), breaking the mark set by the 2021-2022 squad.
The Wolves struggled to find the basket against Enumclaw, shooting 23-of-61 from the field (37.7 percent) – including five-of-16 (32.1 percent) from 3-point range — and sank just nine-of-28 (32.1 percent) from the free throw line.
“We had a trouble[d] shooting night, but the girls worked hard on the defensive side,” Joclin Julmist said.
Enumclaw built leads of 14-8 after one quarter and 30-21 by halftime before Sequim mounted their comeback, out-scoring the Hornets 21-13 in the fourth.
Bates led the charge for Sequim with 13 points, four rebounds, four assists and five steals, and Libby Turella scored 13 points, including six free throws, and five steals.
“Hannah did a great job leading the team and making timely baskets,” Joclin Julmist said. “Libby came in and gave us a big spark of the bench with her defense and her shooting.”
Vaara had 12 points, seven rebounds and three blocks, and Jelissa Julmist had a team-high 11 rebounds.
“Jolene was very good in the fourth quarter, taking the ball to the basket,” Joclin Julmist said.
“Good win for the girls.”
Sequim wins opener
That didn’t take long. Sequim’s girls basketball squad, the top-seeded team in the West Central District tournament, ended any suspense about their state playoff hopes with a resounding 65-29 win at home over Clover Park on Feb. 14.
Bates paced the Wolves to their district tourney opening win over Clover Park, leading the team with 15 points, six steals and three assists.
“Hannah did a great job pressuring the opposing guards and getting to the basket,” Joclin Julmist said.
Sequim led 19-6 after one quarter and 36-17 by halftime.
Jelissa Julmist added 13 points, five rebounds and four steals, and Turella sank three 3-pointers to go with her 13 points.
“Jelissa had another good game tonight; she had a good shooting night and played good defense,” Joclin Julmist said. ” Libby had a really good game on both sides.”
Vaara, Sequim’s leading scorer during the regular season who missed the past three games because of an ankle injury, returned to score 10 points on five-of-six shooting and had four of Sequim’s 28 steals.
“It was great getting Jolene back on the floor,” Joclin Julmist said.
Bobbi Mixon added eight points, sinking a pair of 3-pointers, and Bacon had four rebounds and five steals.
“Sammie played good defense and help side defense, and did a good job on the boards,” Joclin Julmist said.
Sequim post Jelissa Julmist looks to score as Clover Park’s Alicia-Ellalynn Soliai defends the basket in Sequim’s 65-29 district tourney win on Feb. 14. Julmist had 13 points, five rebounds and four steals in the victory.
Sequim Gazette photo by Emily Matthiessen / Sequim guard Bobbi Mixon passes to a teammate in the Wolves’ 65-29 win over Clover Park on Feb. 14.
Sequim Gazette photo by Emily Matthiessen / Sequim guard Hannah Bates, center, and teammate Jelissa Julmist go on the offensive as Clover Park’s Marlene Iafeta pursues, in the Wolves’ 65-29 district tourney-opening win at home on Feb. 14. Bates led the team with 15 points and Julmist added 13.
Sequim Gazette photos by Emily Matthiessen Sequim guard Bobbi Mixon puts up a shot in the Wolves’ 65-29 win over Clover Park on Feb. 14. Mixon sank two 3-pointers in the win.
Sequim Gazette photo by Emily Matthiessen / Sequim guard Taryn Johnson looks to keep possession in the Wolves’ district tourney-opening win over Clover Park at home on Feb. 14.
