With a number of key pieces back for this season’s Sequim High girls hoops team, the Wolves are aiming for as much — or more — success on the hardwood under second year head coach Joclin Julmist.

Sequim had a strong 2021-22 campaign, going 13-1 in Olympic League play and tying Port Angeles for the league title. The Wolves went 2-1 at districts and earned a spot in the state 2A regional round.

Sequim lost three pieces to graduation — Hannah Wagner, Addie Smith and Malory Morey — and a couple of key reserves but return the core of last year’s squad.

Back are seniors Hannah Bates (point guard) and Jelissa Julmist (post), both named to last season’s all-Olympic League first team.

Julmist led the team with 14.1 points and 9.8 rebounds per game.

Bates, who paced the Wolves with four steals and 3.3 assists per game this past season, is key to keeping the team running, Julmist said.

“She’s been constant for us, a good communicator,” he said. “It’s all the time and dedication to her craft.”

Bates said the Wolves are in line for another strong season.

“I think we’ll do pretty good; we’re comfortable with each other,” she said at a preseason practice.

She said the Wolves need to practice patience and make sure their defense is solid for a successful season.

That, and staying healthy.

“Last year that killed us,” Bates said.

Jelissa Julmist fractured a leg bone last season, limiting her to 15 of Sequim’s 23 games, but is healthy and ready to give the Wolves a tough inside presence, her father/coach noted.

“We’re hoping she stays healthy,” Joclin Julmist said.

Also back is junior forward Jolene Vaara, a second team all-Olympic League player in ’21-’22 who presents match-up problems on both ends of the floor. She was second on the team with 13 points and 3.5 steals per contest in 2021-22.

Speedy junior guard Taryn Johnson, a key contributor on last season’s team, is back. She averaged nearly five points, two steals and two assists per game in 2021-22.

Julmist said the Wolves should be improved with the addition of a healthy guard Bobbie Mixon, who missed all but six games last campaign with an injury.

“She’s starting to figure it out,” Julmist said.

“We’re really excited for Bobbie,” Bates said.

Returning junior Dannielle Herman adds to SHS’s post game as well, Julmist said.

“She should give us an inside presence,” he said.

Also back are sophomores Michaela Green and Libby Turella, both of whom saw some playing time for the Wolves’ varsity squad last season.

In addition to a league schedule that poses two more tough match-ups with rival Port Angeles, Julmst noted Sequim plays some tough non-league games, including a Dec. 10 game at Steilacoom and a Dec. 17 home game against Anacortes.

And then there’s the opener. The Wolves kick off the season with a Dec. 5 match-up at Neah Bay, a much smaller school but a tough challenge out of the gate: the Red Devils were the state tourney 1B runner-ups in ’21-’22.

Bates said the Wolves have a good leader in the coaching chair.

“[Joclin] is a great coach; he pushes us to be how good we can be,” she said.

Winter sports preview: SHS Girls basketball

Head coach: Joclin Julmist (second season)

2021-2022 results: 19-5, 13-1 in Olympic League; 2-2 in postseason; 0-1 at state/regional tourney

Key returners: Jelissa Julmist (sr.), Hannah Bates (sr.), Jolene Vaara (jr.), Dannielle Herman (jr.), Bobbie Mixon (so.), Sammie Bacon (sr.), Kaitlyn Bloomenrader (jr.)

Sequim High girls basketball 2022-2023 schedule

Date Opponent Varsity JV

Dec. 5 at Neah Bay 7 p.m. 5:15 p.m.

Dec. 6 at Bainbridge 7 p.m. 5:15 p.m.

Dec. 8 Bremerton 7 p.m. 5:15 p.m.

Dec. 10 at Steilacoom 4 p.m. 2 p.m.

Dec. 13 at North Kitsap 7 p.m. 5:15 p.m.

Dec. 15 North Mason 7 p.m. 5:15 p.m.

Dec. 17 Anacortes 2 p.m. Noon

Jan. 3 at Kingston 7 p.m. 5:15 p.m.

Jan. 5 Olympic 7 p.m. 5:15 pm.

Jan. 10 at Port Angeles 7 p.m. 5:15 p.m.

Jan. 12 Bainbridge 7 p.m. 5:15 p.m.

Jan. 17 at Bremerton 7 p.m. 5:15 p.m.

Jan. 19 North Kitsap 7 p.m. 5:15 p.m.

Jan. 21 South Kitsap 7 p.m. 5:15 p.m.

Jan. 24 at North Mason 7:15 p.m. 5:15 p.m.

Jan. 26 Kingston 7 p.m. 5:15 p.m.

Jan. 31 at Olympic 7 p.m. 5:15 p.m.

Feb. 2 Port Angeles 7 p.m. 5:15 p.m.