The Sequim girls basketball team got big games again from Gracie Chartraw and Jolene Vaara to run away from North Kitsap in the second half, 56-40, at home on Dec. 15 — part of a 3-0 week.
The Wolves were up just 26-22 at the half, but rode a 15-4 third quarter to cruise in the second frame.
Chartraw led the Wolves with 23 points.
“She was really aggressive on both offense and defense,” Sequim coach Joclin Julmist said of the freshman point guard.
Vaara had a great all-around game with 16 points, 10 steals, six assists, five rebounds and three blocks.
“It was a good test the girls; they worked hard for the win,” Julmist said.
Dani Herman led the team with six rebounds, while Bobbi Mixon had seven points. Libby Turella added five points and three steals.
“She [Turella] did a lot of things that didn’t show up in the books; she was everywhere getting her hands on everything,” Julmist said.
With the win, the Wolves remain tied for second in the Olympic League.
Winning up north
A day later, the Wolves (2-1 in Olympic League, 3-1 overall), blew open a tight game with a 20-5 third quarter to beat Anacortes, 50-32.
Sequim went into the half up just 21-17.
Chartraw led the Wolves with 16 points, eight steals and three assists.
“Gracie was amazing; she had a few amazing plays this game that got the crowd going,” Julmist said.
Mixon added 14 points and three steals.
“Bobbie had her best game of the season. She played with confidence and was under control for most of the game,” Julmist said.
Vaara had 10 points, six boards and three steals, and Dani Herman had a solid all-around game with six points, eight rebounds and four blocked shots.
Turella finished with four points, five rebounds and three assists.
“Libby … was really good for us again doing all of the dirty work rebounding … and getting on the floor for loose balls,” Julmist said.
Vaara shines in rout
Vaara nearly racked up a quadruple double as Sequim kicked off last week’s schedule with a 70-44 rout of Bremerton on the road on Dec. 12.
“The girls played better defense tonight and created turnovers that led to a few easy baskets,” Julmist said.
Vaara was 10-of-16 from the field and finished with a team-high 23 points, and added 10 rebounds, eight assists and seven steals.
“She played a complete game,” Julmist said.
Chartraw added 16 points and had nine steals.
“She did a good job tonight trying to get her teammates involved in the game,” Julmist noted.
Mixon added 11 points.
“Bobbi got things rolling tonight; we need her to be aggressive on both sides of the court,” Julmist said.
In what Julmist called the best game of Herman’s career, the SHS senior chipped in nine points and nine rebounds, and Turella added seven points and nine rebounds.
Sequim, who struggled from the free throw line (five-of-17, 29%), was active on the boards, gathering 41 rebounds — 21 on the offensive end — and grabbing 20 steals.
The Wolves led 12-8 after one quarter, 40-25 at halftime and 65-34 after three quarters.
“Everyone got a chance to play tonight,” Julmist said. ” It’s always fun when we can get all of the girls playing time. [It was a] good first win of the season for the girls tonight; we have to keep working.”
Looking ahead
Sequim gets a rematch from last year’s lone regular season loss when they visit defending state 1B champion Neah Bay on Dec. 20. It’s a reunion game for Sequim’s Chartraw, who played as an eighth-grader for the Neah Bay quad in 2022-23.
The Wolves host Steilacoom on Dec. 23 in their final game before Winter Break.
Sequim is back on the court Jan. 2 at North Mason before hosting Kingston’s Buccaneers on Jan. 5.
Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell / Sequim’s Dani Herman puts up a shot in the first half of SHS’s 56-40 Olympic League win over North Kitsap.
Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell / Sequim’s Dani Herman puts up a shot over North Kitsap ‘s Avery Kline in the first half of SHS’s 56-40 Olympic League win over the Vikings.
Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell / Sequim’s Jolene Vaara, right, gets a screen from teammate Dani Herman in the first half of the Wolves’ 56-40 win over North Kitsap on Dec. 15.
Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell / Sequim’s Gracie Chartraw, left,pushes the ball upcourt in the Wolves’ 56-40 home win over North Kitsap on Dec. 15.
Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell / Sequim’s Gracie Chartraw gets fouled on a drive in the first half of the Wolves’ 56-40 home win over North Kitsap on Dec. 15.
Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell Sequim’s Libby Turella, left, and Dani Herman defend a shot by North Kitsap’s Avery Kline in the first half of the Wolves’ 56-40 win over North Kitsap on Dec. 15.
Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell Sequim’s Libby Turella, left, and Dani Herman defend a shot by North Kitsap’s Avery Kline in the first half of the Wolves’ 56-40 win over North Kitsap on Dec. 15.
