Thanks to a big third quarter, the Wolves won their home opener, 56-43, against the Bremerton Knights on Dec. 8, part of a four-wins-in-four-games opening week.
Junior Jolene Vaara led a second half surge, scoring 15 of her game high 20 points in the third.
After back-and-forth play for most of the first half, Sequim went ahead for good with about a minute left in the second quarter when Vaara stole the ball and was fouled on a shot attempt. She made one of two free throws to put Sequim up 24-23. Just before the first half buzzer, Vaara made a short jump shot on a pass from Bobbie Mixon for Sequim to go up by three.
Jelissa Julmist helped pace Sequim with a double-double of 18 points — including 11 first half points — and 10 rebounds, along with three blocks. She, Vaara and Mixon had four offensive boards apiece in the game. Vaara also nabbed six rebounds, five steals and four blocks.
The Wolves struggled shooting, missing many shots in the paint going 20-for-52 (38.5 percent) from inside, 3-for-11 (27.3 percent) from outside, and 7-for-22 (32 percent) from the free throw line.
Bremerton’s Jannisa Lizama sank a 3-pointer at the first quarter buzzer to put the Knights up 15-14 while turnovers and fouls kept the second quarter tight.
Sequim coach Joclin Julmist said the first two quarters were a let-down.
“We can’t play like that,” he said. “In the third quarter we did a good job pressing.”
With the Wolves playing four games in six days, he said it was a tough week.
“We want to get back to good practices and work on shooting,” he said.
For the game, Mixon and Taryn Johnson also dished out four assists.
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The Wolves (4-0) capped the week with a 54-28 rout of host Steilacoom on Dec. 10.
Vaara led the team with 17 points, six rebounds and five steals while Bates had a big all-around game with 15 points, five rebounds, five assists and five steals. Jelissa Julmist chipped in eight points, seven rebounds and four blocked shots.
“The girls played as a group tonight; everyone contributed,” Joclin Julmist said following the win over the Sentinels.
Vaara sparks Wolves in win
Vaara was everywhere on the court for the Wolves in a 60-45 road win at 3A Bainbridge on Dec. 6.
She scored 29 points on 10-of-15 shooting, sinking both 3-pointers, and adding five rebounds, three steals, two assists and a block.
“She was amazing tonight in all phases of the game,” Joclin Julmist said.
Jelissa Julmist chipped in 10 points, four rebounds and three assists.
“She did a great job communicating and passing the ball and moving her feet on defense,” Joclin Julmist said.
Hannah Bates had eight points, four assists and three steals.
“Hannah did a really good job leading us and playing defense,” the SHS coach said.
After getting into foul trouble in her first game of the season, Mixon posted four points, three steals and three assists — and no personal fouls.
“Bobbi had her best game of the season so far and she is going to continue to improve game by game,” Joclin Julmist said.
SHS completes comeback at Neah Bay
Facing a six-point deficit in the final quarter, Sequim outscored host Neah Bay 25-11 in the final frame to come away with a 60-52 non-league win to open the 2022-23 season on Dec. 5.
Jelissa Julmist led the team on both ends of the court with 27 points, nine rebounds and three assists. She was 3-for-5 from 3-point range.
Bates had 14 points, sinking three key 3-pointers in the fourth quarter to spur the Wolves’ victory.
Vaara had 13 points and a team-high seven steals.
“Jolene was solid all around, played really good defense and made some big baskets when we needed them,” Joclin Julmist said.
Johnson led the team with six assists and added three steals.
“Taryn played a good game on the defensive side and passed the ball very well,” Joclin Julmist said.
Allie Greene hit five 3-pointers and scored 25 points for the Red Devils; Ryana Moss added 10 points and 12 rebounds.
Coming up
Sequim was scheduled to play at North Kitsap on Dec. 13 — results were not available at press time.
The Wolves host North Mason on Dec. 15 and Anacortes on Dec. 17.
Sequim is off until a Jan. 3 game at Kingston. The Wolves host Olympic on Jan. 5.
Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash/ Jolene Vaara helped put the Wolves up for good against the Bremerton Knights on Dec. 8 leading the team with 20 points. She also grabbed six rebounds, five steals and four blocks.
Bobbie Mixon pulls up to the 3-point line to take a shot against Bremerton on Dec. 8. Sequim won 56-43 in the home opener and Mixon recorded eight points, five rebounds, four assists and two blocks.
Sequim Gazette Photos by Matthew Nash Jolene Vaara’s free throw near the end of the second quarter put Sequim up for good against Bremerton on Dec. 8 in the Wolves’ home opener. She led all scorers with 20 points.
