Girls basketball: Riders win, in a romp SLIDESHOW

Sequim High's offense is stymied in loss to peninsula rivals

By Michael Dashiell • January 12, 2016 12:09 pm

Port Angeles’ supremacy in this hardcourt rivalry continues.

Hayley Baxley and Nizhoni Wheeler led a balanced attack in the Roughriders’ 36-19 home victory on Jan. 8

Ella Christiansen led Sequim with seven points and seven rebounds, while Jordan Miller added five points, but it wasn’t nearly enough to knock off the Olympic League-leading Riders on their home court.

“I don’t know if it was our nerves (but) it was a bit of a scramble,” Sequim head coach Justine Wagner said. “We love playing against man (to-man) defense but we didn’t run through our plays. PA plays a fantastic defense.”

The quick-handed and hot-shooting Riders jumped out to a 12-1 lead just five minutes into the game before Sequim shooters found their footing. A Jordan Miller 3-pointer spurred a six-point Sequim run, but strong play inside from Wheeler pushed PA’s lead to 18-9 by halftime.

Port Angeles extended their lead to 27-13 after three quarters.

Sequim struggled from the field, shooting just seven-of-43 (16 percent) from the field. The Wolves out-rebounded Port Angeles 32-29 but committed 23 turnovers, 16 of those from Roughrider steals.

Baxley led the Riders with eight points while Wheeler added six points and 10 rebounds; Maddie Boe added six steals.

Despite the loss, Sequim finished 2-1 for the week, a fact not lost on the Sequim coach.

“Two wins this week was good — we needed it,” Wagner said.

SHS wins battle of Wolves

Sequim High was the top Wolf in a 38-34 victory against the visiting Coupeville Wolves on Jan. 6.

Adrienne Haggerty led Sequim with 13 points and McKenzie Bentz added 11 in the win.

Sequim led 19-14 at halftime and 31-22 before the visiting Wolves closed the gap.

Makana Stone led Coupeville with 21 points, 10 in the final quarter.

Defense masters North Mason

Sequim’s Jordan Miller scored 13 points in a 34-24 road win at North Mason on Jan. 5, snapping a three-game losing skid.

The Bulldogs held Sequim to just two first-quarter points and led 16-9 at halftime, but the Wolves roared back by out-scoring their hosts 10-4 in the fourth quarter and 15-4 in the fourth and final frame.

Christiansen had six points while Bentz and Haggerty added five points each.

Hannah Womack led North Mason with eight points.

SHS falls to NK, late

Sequim fell on the road on Monday, Jan. 11 — a 50-31 decision at North Kitsap. (Results of the game were too late for the print edition of the Gazette.)

The host Vikings outscored Sequim 19-3 in the first quarter and held a 31-10 halftime advantage.

Haggerty led Sequim with 12 points while Christiansen had seven.

Ainsly MacKenzie led North Kitsap with 12 points.

Looking ahead

The Wolves are at Chimacum on Jan. 13 and Bremerton on Jan. 15 before hosting the Kingston Buccaneers on Jan. 19.

Olympic League standings

(as of Jan. 12)

Team Lg. Over.

Port Angeles 5-0 11-1

Olympic 4-1 8-4

Kingston 3-2 7-5

North Kitsap 3-2 6-6