By Michael Dashiell
Sequim Gazette
Sequim coach Greg Glasser rarely gets nervous before games.
But he was a little uneasy heading into Tuesday night’s game against Port Angeles.
“There was so much on the line,” Glasser said. “They have some good athletes and when they defend like they did, they’re tough to beat.”
Fortunately for the Sequim coach and Wolves fans, they have Corbin Webb on their side.
The senior guard torched Port Angeles for 25 points — 19 in the second half — as the Wolves held off a late Roughrider run for a 58-51 victory on their home court.
“We knew we were in for a dogfight,” Glasser said. “What a game. What an atmosphere.”
The win not only gives Sequim (12-4 in Olympic League play, 14-5 overall) second place in the Olympic League’s final standings, but also a No. 2 seed going into the sub-district tourney that starts Friday night.
It also means the Wolves get a bye in the first round of the district tournament that starts on Feb. 14, and will need just one win (on Feb. 16) to advance to regionals.
Sequim and Port Angeles had locked up berths in the West Central District tourney by virtue of their top three finishes in league, but both teams had eyes on that district playoff bye Tuesday night.
Momentum shifts
Unlike Sequim’s overpowering win in Port Angeles on Jan. 13, Tuesday night’s contest was a seesaw match with both squads making big runs. Sequim fired the opening salvo, taking a 15-8 lead late in the first quarter, but Port Angeles closed the gap to just one point (23-22) by halftime.
The Roughriders crept ahead at 30-27 before Jayson Brocklesby’s steal and one-handed dunk swung the momentum in Sequim’s favor.
Webb, who battled through foul trouble in the first half and nearly picked up a fourth moments before his teammate’s dunk, began heating up. The Wolves’ leading scorer each of the past two seasons, Webb lit up the scoreboard in a variety of ways, hitting short-range baseline jumpers, driving to the hoop, sinking mid-range shots and even allowing a smile after hitting a 3-pointer from the top of the key.
From the 4:50 mark of the third quarter to halfway through the final period, Webb scored 17 of Sequim’s 25 points and saw the lead balloon to a 51-38 advantage.
“The ball felt great in my hands,” Webb said. “That [getting into foul trouble] happens. I’ve just got to learn from my mistakes.”
Glasser credited Gabe Carter, who finished with nine points, 10 rebounds and seven assists, for helping Sequim through Webb’s absence.
“Gabe went right at them,” Glasser said. “We were able to manage without Corbin in there. The counterbalance to Corbin was Gabe. Those two are working better and better together each game.”
Port Angeles simply wouldn’t go away, however, as Reggie Burke led a spirited comeback. The 6-foot senior guard hit a pair of 3-pointers late and scored 11 in the fourth quarter, helping the Roughriders close to within 53-49 with under a minute remaining.
“We knew they were going to play better, shoot better than they did last time,” Sequim guard Evan Hill said.
But Carter, Hill and Alex Barry sealed the win late with free throws and the Riders’ shooting went cold.
Webb and Hill joined senior center Frank Catelli in playing their final game on the Rick Kaps Gymnasium floor.
“Once I got in the game I didn’t think about it [being my last home game],” Webb said. “Great way to end it.”
Said Hill, “This feels great. Beating P.A. twice? Very few teams get to do that.”
Sequim and Port Angeles finished with identical 12-4 league records but Sequim holds the tiebreaker after sweeping the season series.
Moving on
The Wolves take on Clover Park, the defending state 2A champion and South Puget Sound League champs, at 8 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 10 at Klahowya Secondary School in Silverdale.
A pair of quick, high scoring guards lead the Warriors, and both of them are 6-foot sophomores. Ahmaad Rorie leads the charge with 23.6 points per game while David Crisp chips in 19.4 points per contest.
Webb (15.7 points per game before Tuesday’s game) and Brocklesby (13.9 pg) pace the Wolves. Carter leads the team in rebounding (8.1 pg), assists (5.2) and steals (2.0).
“We want to see Clover Park … one of the best teams in the state,” Glasser said. “We’ve played teams with two great scorers. The key will be to take care of the ball.”
The winner of that game plays Saturday night for the top seed at districts, while the losing squad plays for third or fourth on Saturday.
On the other side of the bracket is Kingston, the Olympic League champion, and Evergreen, the Seamount League champ.
Sequim dropped a pair of decisions to Kingston this season. The Wolves have not beaten the Bucs since 2009. Kingston finished third at the state 2A tourney last season.
Reach Michael Dashiell at miked@sequimgazette.com.
