Winter sports preview: Vaara-led SHS girls basketball team seeking return to state

Talk about a tough act to follow.

Eighteen regular-season wins, 22 overall, a fourth-place finish at the state 2A tournament and an undefeated league campaign.

Third-year head coach Joclin Julmist said he likes his team’s chances to compete every night against a tough schedule in 2023-24.

He’ll lean heavily on senior leadership on the court in the form of senior posts Jolene Vaara and Dani Herman.

The 5-10 Vaara, last season’s Olympic League MVP and Defensive MVP who was also named to the 2A all-tournament team as a junior, led Sequim with 15.2 points and 3.7 steals per contest and 64 offensive rebounds.

At six feet tall, Herman was one of the team’s top rebounders, finishing fourth with 71 boards (25 offensive).

“She’s efficient down low,” Julmist said of Herman. “We’re working on her inside game so she can be more physical.”

Also back is junior guard Bobbi Mixon, who missed time with injuries the past two seasons, but when on the court provided a big spark to the offense. She shot 35% from 3-point range and had 59 rebounds and 39 steals.

Junior guard Libby Turella returns as well. At 5-9, Turella is able to shoot over defenders from deep, and in 2022-23 she was second on the team with 19 3-pointers made.

Further, Julmist said he expects contributions from sophomore guards Hailey Wagner, Kiley Winter and Raimey Brewer, and junior forward Taylor Heyting.

Photo by Jim Heintz / Sequim’s Dani Herman, right, looks to put up a shot over Tumwater’s Kylie Waltermeyer in the Wolves’ 38-24 win over Tumwater at the class 2A state tournament in March.

“If we stay healthy, we’ll compete,” Julmist said. “I like the team. We’ll try to get better every week.”

Wagner in particular, he said, should give the Wolves a boost in athleticism.

“[Wagner] is a go-getter; she likes to compete,” he said.

The Wolves, however, lost a great deal to graduation and other sports. Gone is Jelissa Julmist and Hannah Bates, the 2023 graduates who formed a tough inside-outside combo and now play for Peninsula College. Julmist was Sequim’s top rebounder and shot blocker and No. 2 scorer, while Bates led the team in assists and 3-pointers and was second in steals and third in scoring. Also lost to graduation is No. 2 rebounder Sammie Bacon.

The Wolves will also be missing seniors Taryn Johnson and Kaitlyn Bloomenrader, key guards in the Wolves’ state playoff run in 2022-23.

However, Sequim does get a boost in Neah Bay transfer Gracie Chartraw, a freshman guard who played a key role on the Red Devils 1B state-championship team.

“That’ll be good for us,” Joclin Julmist said.

In the past two seasons, Julmist and the Wolves are 42-9.

Looking ahead

Sequim opens at Bainbridge on Dec. 8 and plays at Bremerton on Dec. 12 before their first home game, Dec. 15 against North Kitsap.

Sequim is back on the road for two tough match-ups — Dec. 16 at Anacortes and Dec. 20 at Neah Bay — before a Dec. 23 non-leaguer against Steilacoom.

The Wolves return from winter break Jan. 2 at North Mason and host Kingston on Jan. 5.

Winter sports preview: SHS Girls basketball

Head coach: Joclin Julmist (third season)

2022-2023 results: 14-0 in Olympic League (champions), 5-3 in postseason, 23-4 overall; fourth place at state

Key returners: Jolene Vaara (sr.), Dani Herman (sr.), Bobbie Mixon (jr.), Hailey Wagner (so.), Taylor Heyting (jr.), Libby Turella (jr.), Taylor Heyting (jr.)

Newcomers: Gracie Chartraw (fr.), Kiley Winter (so.), Raimey Brewer (so.)

Sequim High girls basketball 2023-2024 schedule

Date Opponent Varsity JV

Dec. 8 at Bainbridge 6:30 p.m. 5:15 p.m.

Dec. 12 at Bremerton 7 p.m. 5:15 p.m.

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

Dec. 16 at Anacortes 3 p.m.

Dec. 20 at Neah Bay 7 p.m.

Dec. 23 Steilacoom 7 p.m.

Jan. 2 at North Mason 6:45 p.m. 5:15 p.m.

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

Jan. 9 Olympic 7 p.m. 5:15 pm.