BY OLY ARCHIBALD
PORT ANGELES — A packed Roughrider Gymnasium offered the colors, sounds, and excitement of a Broadway musical production, leaving fans thoroughly entertained.
The 10-0 Sequim Wolves boys, as expected, had to grind out a last-minute win over a typically resilient, hard-nosed Roughrider team. The Wolves held on for a 56-43 victory in a game marked by more whistles than a Paris train station.
Sequim jumped out to a 24-12 first-half lead, but the Roughriders showed their grit, closing within three points at 28-25. Jericho Julmist then electrified the crowd with a three-quarter-court buzzer-beater, giving the Wolves a 31-25 halftime edge.
Video of Julmist’s three-quarter court shot
The Roughriders outscored Sequim 10-5 in the third quarter, trailing by just two points at 37-35 heading into the fourth. The game remained up for grabs until the final three minutes when the Wolves pulled away with clutch plays from Julmist, Solomon Sheppard, and Mason Rapelje.
Julmist led the Wolves with 19 points, while Sheppard added 15. Rapelje was a force on both ends of the court, contributing 11 points. Charlie Grider battled hard against 6’9″ sophomore Brock Hope, scoring seven points and grabbing key rebounds.
The Roughriders’ defense held Sequim to 15 points below their season scoring average. Gus Halberg paced the Roughriders with 14 points, while Matthew Miller and Keatyn Hoch each scored seven. Hope and Blake Sohlberg added six points apiece, and Hunter Flores hit a three-pointer.
The Roughriders dropped to 1-4 in league play and 4-6 overall. They face a tough challenge Friday night against the high-flying Bremerton Knights, who defeated Olympic 80-31.
The Wolves, now 5-0 in league play and 10-0 overall, will host North Kitsap on Friday night. That game will be broadcast on KONP Newsradio. Sequim has not beaten North Kitsap since the 2014-15 season. North Kitsap defeated North Mason 63-55 last night.
Wolves Head Coach Craig Brooks talks about the Wolves going 10-0 on the KONP Newsradio post game show
Wolves Jericho Julmist and Mason Rapelje talk about their 56-43 hard fought win over Port Angeles on the KONP Newsradio post game show
Girls’ Game Recap
In the girls’ game, both teams delivered some of their best basketball of the season, with the Roughriders earning a feel-good 47-34 victory.
Sequim started hot, leading 16-15 after the first quarter. Wolves senior Libby Turella, returning from a hand injury, hit four three-pointers and led Sequim with 12 points.
The Roughriders delivered a total team effort. Guard Teanna Clark, with help from her teammates, limited Wolves shooter Gracie Chartraw to 10 points while scoring 12 hard-earned points herself. Lindsay Smith led the Roughriders with 13 points, while junior Becca Manson hit two three-pointers for seven points. Morgan Politika and Sariah Doherty scored four each, Lexie Smith added five, and Mikkhia Stevens hit a three-pointer.
For the Wolves, Kylie Winter scored six points, Hailey Wagoner added four, and Taylor Heyting scored two while contributing solid rebounding.
The Roughriders are favored at Bremerton on Friday night, while the Wolves face a tough test at North Kitsap.
Bowling Update
In bowling action last night, Olympic edged Sequim 4-3.
NWAC Basketball Tonight
Catch NWAC basketball tonight on KONP Newsradio as the Pirates travel to Bellingham for their conference opener at Whatcom. The women’s game tips off at 5 p.m., followed by the men at 7 p.m. Coverage begins with the Les Schwab Tires Pre-Game Show at 4:45 p.m.
Peninsula Pirate 6’3″ Freshmen Alecsis Smith from Bay City Michigan leads the Pirates into thier confrence opener with Whatcom tonight.