Photo: The Sequim Wolves are the #3 district seed and will host a game Wednesday night at 6:00.
BY OLY ARCHIBALD
POULSBO — Lots of basketball action yesterday, and the big game was in Poulsbo, where the 4th-ranked Sequim Wolves took on the 5th-ranked Bremerton Knights for the second time in three nights. This night belonged to the Knights of Bremerton, as they played a near-flawless game to beat Sequim 77-67.
It seemed as though the Wolves were playing catch-up all night, though they did have third-quarter leads. But every time the Wolves gained ground, the Knights responded with their own runs. The Knights led 21-14 after the first quarter. They extended their lead to as many as 13 points in the first half, but Ethan Melnick and Solomon Sheppard started hitting threes, and once again, Jericho Julmist hit a half-court shot at the buzzer, bringing the Wolves within three at halftime, 40-37.
Both teams traded shots in the third quarter, and Bremerton led 59-51 going into the fourth. The Knights set their defense up to stop Jericho Julmist and did a solid job, holding him to 14 points. However, they completely missed the boat on Solomon Sheppard, as the junior forward went off for 29 points, including four three-pointers.
Ethan Melnick finished with 11 points, Mason Rapelje scored eight, Zeke Schmadeke had a solid performance with four points, and Jamison Gray added two. Knights sophomore Jalen Davis showed why he’s rated the No. 1 sophomore in the state, dropping 32 points. Senior 6’6″ Frank Allen contributed 17 points.
With the Wolves’ loss, they are now the No. 3 district seed and will host the winner of the No. 11 Foss vs. No. 6 North Mason game on Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. A Wolves win would likely set up a semifinal matchup with No. 2 seed Franklin Pierce. The Wolves would not face Bremerton or Bainbridge until next Saturday night in the district championship game.
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The Port Angeles girls, as expected, are the No. 3 seed and will host the winner of the No. 11 Orting vs. No. 6 North Mason game on Tuesday night at 6:00 p.m. A Roughrider quarterfinal win would set up a tough matchup against No. 2 seed Eatonville (19-3). The Cruisers are led by 6’4″ senior Lillian Bickford, who averages 13 points and 8 rebounds per game. Their most lethal weapon is 5’5″ senior guard Bailey Anderson, who averages 23 points per game. The Cruisers have scored 70 or more points in six of their last seven games.
If the Roughriders win thier quarterfinal game they will probably have to face #2 seed, 19-3 Eatonville with 6’4″ Senior post Lillian Bickford 12 ppg and 8 rpg
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The Port Angeles boys are the No. 9 seed and will travel to No. 8 seed Fife on Saturday for a 5:00 p.m. tip-off. The winner will play No. 1 seed Bremerton on Wednesday night in Bremerton. The loser of the Port Angeles vs. Fife game is done until next season.
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In middle school basketball yesterday, the Stevens 7th graders dominated Port Townsend 58-7. Maddie Wright led the way with 20 points, Mattie Dunning added 14, Pepper McCaslin scored 10, Skylar Wheeler had six, Mila Johnson finished with four, and Lucy Long and Kaleah Quilt each added two.
The Stevens 8th graders also defeated Port Townsend, 25-7. Maelyn Benedict led the way with 12 points, Kya Baker scored six, Darcy Ring added four, Nyah Langdon had two, and Mya Hill hit a free throw.
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In NWAC action, the Peninsula Pirates men lost a heartbreaker at home to Bellevue, 75-74, in overtime. Jaiden Blackmon led the Pirates with 20 points, and Akeem Sulaiman scored 19. The Pirates are now 5-6 in conference play and 11-13 overall. They host Olympic on Saturday at 2:00 p.m.
The 3rd-ranked Peninsula Pirate women dominated Bellevue from the start and won their 17th straight game, 63-41. Lexis Mackey led the way with 17 points, Jelissa Julmist scored 12, and Ciera Agasiva added 10. The Pirates are now 11-0 in conference play and 19-2 overall. They host Olympic on Saturday at 4:00 p.m.
Sophomore forward Lexie Mackey hit for 17 ponts against Bellevue as the Pirates won their 17th straight game.