By Oly Archibald
POULSBO — After the Port Angeles boys basketball team blew a 21-point third-quarter lead to lose to Bainbridge in overtime a week ago, most basketball aficionados would tell you that was the worst loss possible.
Well, let the debate begin.
The North Kitsap Vikings, down four points with 13 seconds left, scored five points in six seconds to beat Port Angeles 52-51.
The Roughriders trailed throughout the game, with the Vikings jumping out to a 15-3 lead and their biggest lead at 17-3. The Roughriders then outscored the Vikings 14-9 in the second quarter and trailed 24-17 at the half.
Port Angeles narrowed the gap to just three points, 34-31, after three quarters. The Roughriders finally took the lead around the 90-second mark. With 13 seconds left and Port Angeles up 51-47, the Vikings threw an inbound pass to Jordan Williams. Trapped in the corner, Williams managed to pass the ball to Preston Keehn, who hit a three-point shot with five seconds left to make it 51-50.
Instead of running the baseline and throwing the ball the length of the court, the Roughriders attempted a forced pass in the lane. The Vikings stole it and laid it off the glass at the buzzer for the stunning 52-51 win.
Gus Halberg led the Roughriders with 18 points, followed by Matthew Miller with 12. Brock Hope and Hunter Flores added six points each, Alex Angevine scored five, and Keatyn Hoch and Blake Sohlberg chipped in two points apiece.
The Roughriders now face a tough road game Saturday in Chehalis against WF West. That game will be broadcast live on KONP Newsradio.
In the Olympic League standings, the Sequim Wolves sit in first place at 3-0, thanks in part to Bainbridge’s shocking 63-61 win over Bremerton.
The Sequim Wolves are in first place in the Olympic league after Bainbridge upset Bremerton 63-61.
Sequim’s games last night were both canceled by the Olympic High School Athletic Department, citing concerns over potential Hood Canal Bridge closures due to weather. However, the bridge remained open, and weather conditions were typical for December. Both Port Angeles and North Kitsap fans and buses traveled without issue. This isn’t the first time Olympic has canceled trips to Sequim or Port Angeles, leaving fans scratching their heads.
On the girls’ side, the Port Angeles team earned a dominant 53-28 home win over North Kitsap. Lindsay Smith led the Riders with 21 points, and Teanna Clark added 14 points.
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The Peninsula Pirates women’s basketball team moved from 4th to 3rd in this week’s NWAC poll