Girls basketball: Vaara scores 40 as Wolves advance in bi-district tourney

By Michael Dashiell • February 17, 2024 3:30 pm
Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell / Sequim’s bench erupts in cheers after the Wolves capitalized on a North Mason turnover in a bi-district tournament match-up on Feb. 16. Pictured are, from left, Gracie Chartraw, Rilynn Whitehead, Clare Turella, Raimey Brewer, Kiley Winter and Sydney Thomas-Harris.
Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell / Sequim’s bench erupts in cheers after the Wolves capitalized on a North Mason turnover in a bi-district tournament match-up on Feb. 16. Pictured are, from left, Gracie Chartraw, Rilynn Whitehead, Clare Turella, Raimey Brewer, Kiley Winter and Sydney Thomas-Harris.

Jolene Vaara picked a fine time to have a career game.

The Sequim High senior nearly out-scored the visiting North Mason Bulldogs in the a 76-48 rout at home on Feb. 16, keeping the Wolves (13-6) alive in the bi-district tournament.

Sequim takes on Olympic League foe North Kitsap at 6 p.m. tonight (Saturday, Feb. 17) at Foster High School, with a berth in the regional round of the class 2A state tournament on the line.

Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell / Sequim’s Jolene Vaara, left, drives to the basket for two of her career-high 40 points in a big SHS win over North Mason in a bi-district tournament game on Feb. 16.

Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell / Sequim’s Jolene Vaara, left, drives to the basket for two of her career-high 40 points in a big SHS win over North Mason in a bi-district tournament game on Feb. 16.

“The girls played hard tonight and played as a team on both sides of the court,” Sequim coach Joclin Julmist said.

Vaara was omnipresent Friday night in helping Sequim beat North Mason for the third time this season, racking up 40 points, 12 rebounds six steals and three blocks.

With the effort, she surpassed the 1,000 career points mark at SHS.

The Wolves started strong, gave up a 10-2 Bulldog run late in the first quarter. Then, in the second quarter, the Wolves’ full-court pressure finally cracked the Bulldogs. One series saw the Wolves pick off three consecutive passes before the ball reached mid-court, with Vaara finishing all three with layups — the final resulting in a three-point play. Sequim out-scored North Mason 27-5 in the second frame to lead 42-20 at halftime.

Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell / Sequim’s Bobbi Mixon drives past Adrianna Tupolo for a basket in the Wolves’ bi-district tournament win on Feb. 16.

Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell / Sequim’s Bobbi Mixon drives past Adrianna Tupolo for a basket in the Wolves’ bi-district tournament win on Feb. 16.

Freshman guard Gracie Chartraw finished with 18 points.

“She played well in the second half,” Julmist said.

Teammate Hailey Wagner had a big game starting in the place of injured senior post Dani Herman, tallying six points, 11 rebounds and four steals.

Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell / Sequim’s Libby Turella, left, vies with North Mason’s Adrianna Tupolo for the ball in a bi-district tournament match-up on Feb. 16. Sequim routed the visiting Bulldogs, 76-48.

Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell / Sequim’s Libby Turella, left, vies with North Mason’s Adrianna Tupolo for the ball in a bi-district tournament match-up on Feb. 16. Sequim routed the visiting Bulldogs, 76-48.

Libby Turella led the defense, taking three charges that shifted the momentum in the first half. She added seven rebounds and had four assists and two steals.

“Libby was amazing tonight,” Julmist noted.

Guard Bobbi Mixon played solid defense, Julmist noted, and added eight points.