Sequim’s girls put in two strong performances last week without star post player Jayla Julmist, and have been further boosted by news that she’ll soon be back on the court.
Following the Wolves’ resounding 85-16 home win over the Bremerton Knights on Jan. 24, head coach Linsay Rapelje said to expect to see Julmist back soon.
“Jayla’s been practicing and is feeling great,” Rapelje said. “We’re hoping she’ll be back in the next week.”
Julmist warmed up with the team before the Bremerton game, but during the game was on the bench in street clothes.
“My knee is feeling a lot better,” she said after the game. “I’ll be back soon.”
As for the game itself, the Wolves put on a dominant defensive display after not allowing the Knights to score until almost halfway through the second quarter.
Sequim scored 37 points before their opponents got on the board and led 45-4 by halftime.
Rapelje said the Wolves (8-1 in Olympic League, 12-4 overall) played several different defensive schemes over the course of the game, and spent time working on slowing down their offensive and running more half-court set plays as opposed to their typical high-paced offense.
Hope Glasser led the Wolves’ scoring for the Wolves with 22 points, with 13 rebounds giving Glasser her second double-double in as many games without Julmist in the lineup.
Melissa Porter scored five points and pulled down 12 rebounds, drawing praise from Rapelje for playing out of position as a post player for the Wolves instead of her usual role on the wing.
“I call her my chameleon,” Rapelje said of Porter. “I can put her wherever I need to and she’ll do it. In that role (as a post player) she’s got a lot to learn, but she’s adapting well.”
Freshman guard Hannah Bates had a season-high 15 points off the bench, 10 of which game in the second half. Playing most of the entire second half Bates had an impressive defensive performance, nabbing seven steals and regularly disrupting the Knights’ efforts to get their offense rolling.
“I’m loving playing with this team,” Bates said.
“I can play up to their level and they help me play better. The first few games (of the season) I was feeling pressure, but they’ve helped me get comfortable and into the flow.”
Downing the ‘dogs
That dominant win over the Knights came two days after the Wolves had to grind out a much tighter victory over the North Mason Bulldogs, coming away with a 46-42 road win on Jan. 22.
“With Jayla out, we had to have other people step up,” Rapelje said. “We played well defensively, but it was a very physical game, so it was a test for us mentally as well.
“In the end of the game, we kept our composure.”
Kalli Wiker led the scoring for the Wolves with 14 points, including four 3-pointers. Glasser added 10 points with 11 rebounds, while LeAnn Raney scored seven with 10 rebounds — including nine boards on the offensive end — while filling in for Julmist.
Looking ahead
The Wolves are slated to host the Kings Knights (4-0 league record, 13-4 overall) in a non-league game at 7 p.m. on Jan. 29 before facing the North Kitsap Vikings (4-4, 7-9) at home on Jan. 31, with tip-off scheduled for 5:45 p.m.
Sequim host their final home game of the regular season on Feb. 4 against the Olympic Trojans at 7:15 p.m. before heading out on the road to close the season against the Port Angeles Roughriders at 5:30 p.m.
With a spot in the top four in the Olympic League, the Wolves qualify for the West Central District 3 tournament starting Feb. 12.
Olympic League standings
(as of Jan. 27)
Team Lg. Over.
Port Angeles 8-0 12-4
Sequim 8-1 12-4
Kingston 5-5 8-10
North Kitsap 4-4 7-9
North Mason 4-5 7-8
Olympic 2-6 8-8
Sequim Wolves guard Kalli Wiker reacts to hitting a long 3-point shot in the first quarter of the Wolves’ 85-16 win over the Bremerton Knights on Jan. 24. Wiker scored 11 points against the Knights, including three 3-pointers. Sequim Gazette photo by Conor Dowley
Jessia Dietzman gets fouled while taking a running shot in the first quarter of the Wolves’ 85-16 win over the Bremerton Knights on Jan. 24. Dietzman scored 10 points and added four assists and three steals. Sequim Gazette photo by Conor Dowley
