The Sequim’s girls got off to a strong start to the 2019-2020 season with a 73-17 home win over the Klahowya Eagles on Dec. 2.

“The girls played really hard,” SHS head coach Linsay Rapelje said.

“We still have a few things to work out, but that was a great first game. I’m really proud of these girls, they’ve been working so hard and came into this game in great shape.”

Jayla Julmist led the scoring with 18 points, and recorded a double-double after adding 10 rebounds to go with five assists, two steals and two blocks.

Kalli Wiker scored 15 points, including a key early 3-pointer that helped set the tone for the game.

That tone was one of the Wolves being in full control of the game, including utilizing a full-court press early in the game to throw the Eagles off balance.

“I think turning the tempo up and forcing them to have to rush was important,” Rapelje said. “Plus we feed on our own energy, so playing that up-tempo on defense helped lead to an up-tempo offense.”

That pressure helped keep the Eagles offense in check. Junior forward Katie Cooper lead the scoring for the Eagles with eight points on a tough night for the Eagles, who didn’t score more than six points in any quarter and were held to four points in the first quarter and just two points in the third quarter, which came in the closing seconds of the period.

“Our goal was to hold them to under ten points in the second half,” Rapelje said. “We wanted to play hard and make stops. I don’t think the girls even realized at the time they had held them (to two points) in the third.”

One of the highlights for the Wolves was the debut of freshman guard Hannah Bates, who played about a third of the game and scored seven points while being a terror for the Eagles on defense. When paired with sophomore guard Riley Pyeatt on the court, Rapelje was able to use those two girls’ speed to set up some mismatches for the Eagles’ defense.

“She’s on the court because she wasn’t out of place at all,” Rapelje said of Bates. “Philosophically, I wouldn’t bring up a freshman full-time on varsity unless she was going to play, and she fits right in.”

Bates certainly fit into the Wolves’ rotation, playing with ease alongside seniors Jessica Dietzman and Hope Glasser, who scored 11 points each, with Dietzman adding five assists of her own.

Sequim Wolves forward Hope Glasser, center, goes up for a layup against the Klahowya Eagles during the Wolves’ 73-17 win over the Eagles on Dec. 2. Glasser scored 11 points on the night, and was a key part in keeping the Eagles’ offense quiet on the night. Sequim Gazette photo by Conor Dowley

Sequim Wolves’ center Jayla Julmist, 30, wins the opening tipoff of the Wolves’ 73-17 win over the Klahowya Eagles on Dec. 2. Julmist earned a double-double on the night, leading the Wolves with 18 points and contributing 10 rebounds, along with five assists, two steals, and two blocks. Sequim Gazette photo by Conor Dowley