Being scrappy: that’s a major goal for this year’s girls varsity basketball squad to become successful, says head coach Joclin Julmist.
Graduated from last season’s team are two-time Olympic League MVP Jolene Vaara and center Dani Herman, who were essential components to Sequim’s system, but Julmist looks to rely on some returners while encouraging post players to rise up.
“Our guards will be really successful,” he said.
That includes Gracie Chartraw and Bobbi Mixon, keys to last year’s offense, along with Kylie Winter who Julmist is trying more at point guard.
“Kylie is doing a good job of playing the point and she’s gotten a lot better, so we’re expecting her to help us out a lot,” Julmist said.
Chartraw is recovering from an injury from last year, but Julmist believes she can be Sequim’s best scorer when on the field, particularly because she has a good shooting form.
The Wolves are also trying to spread the ball around more, particularly to Libby Turella.
“We’re trying to get Libby involved a lot this year,” Julmist said.
“She does a lot for us defensively and with rebounding. She sacrifices her body and plays really good defense, and she can shoot the ball too if she gets going.”
A good barometer for the season ahead has been open gym sessions in the offseason, but Julmist said varsity players were either injured or had other commitments.
With only a few post players, Sequim will rely on Hailey Wagner and others for rebounding.
“We don’t have the height so we’ll be focused on boxing out, being scrappy,” Julmist said.
“Everybody needs to help out on the boards because we don’t have a dominant person to take care of that for us. It’s a job by committee.”
This year’s Olympic League teams feature multiple big post players, so Julmist said it’ll be a struggle.
“We’ve just got to continue to build their confidence,” he said.
“It’s a good group of kids. I’m appreciative of the families that allow us to coach them.
“We’ll see where it goes, but I think we’ll be able to compete with a lot of teams.”
Joining Julmist and assistant coach Darren Stephens this year on the bench is 2023 Sequim graduate Hannah Bates, who led the team her senior year in assists and 3-pointers.
So far, and up ahead
In the season opener, the Wolves lost to Anacortes 50-30 in Sequim on Dec. 4. Mixon led the team with 11 points, 3 assists and five steals, while Chartraw scored 10 points and snagged 3 boards and 2 steals.
Libby Turella led the Wolves with 9 rebounds to go along with 5 points and 3 steals.
Two nights later, the Wolves opened league play with a big 70-34 home win over Kingston on Dec. 6.
Chartraw scored 20 points, including three 3-pointers, 3 assists and 3 steals, while Turella sank four 3-pointers, dished out 6 assists and made 3 steals.
Wagner had a monster game on the boards, bringing down 19 rebounds, including 8 offensive boards, and 12 points. Mixon also had 11 points, 7 assists and 6 steals.
As a team, the Wolves snagged 22 steals.
This week, Sequim was set to face North Mason on Dec. 10, after press deadline, and host Bainbridge in a boys and girls games doubleheader starting at 5:15 p.m. Dec. 13.
Winter sports preview: SHS Girls basketball
Head coach: Joclin Julmist (fourth season)
Assistants: Darren Stephens, Hannah Bates
2023-2024 results: 13-7, district finalists
Roster: Bobbie Mixon, Hailey Wagner, Taylor Heyting, Libby Turella, Gracie Chartraw, Kiley Winter, Raimey Brewer, Clare Turella, Nevaeh Owens, Rilynn Whitehead, Indi Mixon, Kaiya Robinson, Finley Rapelje
Sequim High girls basketball 2024-2025 varsity schedule
Date Opponent time/score
Dec. 4 Anacortes, lost 50-30
Dec. 6 Kingston, won 70-34
Dec. 10 North Mason, lost 38-34
Dec. 13 Bainbridge 7 p.m.
Dec. 17 Olympic 7 p.m.
Dec. 21 Foss 3 p.m.
Dec. 30 Australian International game 5 p.m.
Jan. 2 at East Jefferson 3:30 p.m.
Jan. 7 at Port Angeles 5:15 p.m.
Jan. 10 at North Kitsap 7 p.m.
Jan. 14 Bremerton 7 p.m.
Jan. 17 at Kingston 7 p.m.
Jan. 21 at North Mason 7 p.m.
Jan. 24 at Bainbridge 6:40 p.m.
Jan. 28 at Olympic 7 p.m.
Jan. 31 Port Angeles 5:15 p.m.
Feb. 4 North Kitsap 5:15 p.m.
Sequim Gazette photo by Emily Matthiessen/ A key to success this year for Sequim girls’ basketball team is scrappiness, said head coach Joclin Julmist. He said players like Bobbi Mixon will have to step up their rebounding and defense to take on bigger teams.
Sequim Gazette photo by Emily Matthiessen/ Gracie Chartraw, seen here playing against Anacortes on Dec. 4, is recovering from an injury last season, but could lead the team in scoring along with Bobbi Mixon and Libby Turella, said coach Joclin Julmist.
