Sequim’s Wolves girls basketball squad shrugged off a poor night shooting — and a nine-point halftime deficit — to knock off Enumclaw 60-55 in the West Central District tourney semifinal Thursday night in Highline.
With the win, top-seeded Sequim (20-1) advances to the distinct championship game against third-seeded Renton (17-4), set for 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, at North Mason High School in Belfair.
Both teams move on to the regional round of the state 2A tournament.
The win also sets the program record for wins in a season (20), breaking the mark set by the 2021-2022 squad.
Against Enumclaw, the Wolves struggled to find the basket, shooting 23-of-61 from the field (37.7 percent) – including five-of-16 (32.1 percent) from 3-point range — and sank just nine-of-28 (32.1 percent) from the free throw line.
“We had a trouble[d] shooting night, but the girls worked hard on the defensive side,” Sequim coach Joclin Julmist said.
Enumclaw built leads of 14-8 after one quarter and 30-21 by halftime before Sequim mounted their comeback, out-scoring the Hornets 21-13 in the fourth.
Hannah Bates led the charge for Sequim with 13 points, four rebounds, four assists and five steals, and Libby Turella scored 13 points, including six free throws, and five steals.
“Hannah did a great job leading the team and making timely baskets,” Joclin Julmist said. “Libby came in and gave us a big spark of the bench with her defense and her shooting.”
Jolene Vaara had 12 points, seven rebounds and three blocks, and Jelissa Julmist had a team-high 11 rebounds.
“Jolene was very good in the fourth quarter, taking the ball to the basket,” Joclin Julmist said.
“Good win for the girls.”