Sequim’s Wolves needed a break Tuesday night — several, actually — to earn the Olympic League No. 2 seed.
But after falling to Port Angeles on Feb. 8 and seeing the Olympic Trojans top Klahowya, the Wolves end their league campaign fourth among the league’s 2A schools.
The Wolves (10-6 in league play, 14-6 overall) now play a loser-out, winner-to-districts contest against the Evergreen Wolverines at 7 p.m. Thursday night.
Not exactly the playoff scenario the Wolves were hoping for, particularly coming off a loss on the road to their top rival.
“This stings,” Sequim coach Greg Glasser said, following Sequim’s 57-49 loss Tuesday. “But like coach (Larry) Hill told the team, ‘Let this sting, then flush it.”
Ian Ward scored 15 points and Tanner Phair chipped in with a dozen off the bench to lead Port Angeles to victory.
Sequim’s Corbin Webb led all scorers with 16 points.
After battling Port Angeles in a double-overtime loss earlier this season, Sequim’s boys squad figured to be in for another battle Tuesday. That’s exactly what they got.
The Wolves and Roughriders parried for three quarters, and following Sequim forward Jayson Brocklesby’s lay-up, Sequim crept within three points (41-38) with 3:51 remaining.
But Roughrider Colin Wheeler responded with a basket and free throw on the next play, and the Wolves simply could not find the basket after that. Port Angeles hit 14-of-20 from the free-throw stripe in the fourth quarter to cap the victory.
Both teams sank three 3-pointers on the night and were 17-of-41 from the field; the Riders, however, held an eight-point advantage at the free throw line and, in the end, an eight-point advantage on the scoreboard.
Sequim held a one-point lead after one quarter but it could have been much more, after missing several shots from within 10 feet and giving up key offensive rebounds on the defensive glass.
“We did give up too many second shots,” Glasser said. “And too many turnovers. They were turned into buckets fast.”
The Wolves also had to do without shooter Nick Camporini, Sequim’s top three-point threat, for much of the game after he picked up his fourth foul early in the third quarter.
“It was a pretty physical game,” Glasser said. “I don’t think we backed down. I don’t think they (the Wolves) would ever give up. They play for each other.”
Jayson Brockleby and Gabe Carter scored 11 points each while Camporini added five points.
With a win and correct guess on a coin flip, the Wolves could have taken a No. 2 league seed to a sub-district seeding tourney this week.
Instead, the Wolves slipped out of both No. 2 and No. 3 seeds following the loss and Olympic’s 66-60 victory at Klahowya Tuesday night.
Reach Michael Dashiell at miked@sequimgazette.com.
