SEQUIM — Sequim suffered its first league loss of the year, hanging tough with North Kitsap in a battle for undisputed first place in the Olympic League 2A Division until the fourth quarter, but ultimately going down 70-55.
The Wolves entered the fourth quarter down just eight points but were outscored 18-11 in the final period of Tuesday’s game.
Nate Despain led the Wolves with 20 points, 11 rebounds, three assists and three steals. Kyler Rollness hit three 3-pointers and scored 13 points while Erik Christiansen scored nine.
The game was close throughout with North Kitsap taking a 31-28 lead into the half. Free throws were a big difference as the Vikings shot 26 from the charity stripe, making 19. The Wolves shot just six free throws, making four.
Despite the loss, Sequim’s first since a season-opening defeat at Bainbridge, the Wolves remain in second place at 3-1 (5-2 overall).
Sequim played at Crosspoint after press deadline Wednesday, and will return to league action at Olympic at 7 p.m. Friday.
North Kitsap 70, Sequim 55
NK 9 22 21 18 — 70
Sequim 11 17 16 11 — 55
North Kitsap (70) — Humphrey 20, Siebers 15, McMillian 12, Chmielewski 7, Baker 7, Moore 6, Olmstead 3.
Sequim (55) — N. Despain 20, Rollness 13, Christiansen 9, Oliver 7, Whitney 4, Cowan 2.
Port Angeles 83, Olympic 52
BREMERTON — The Roughriders bounced back from a tough road loss to North Kitsap by thumping the Trojans on the road.
It was Port Angeles’ highest-scoring game of the year with 12 3-pointers. Coach Kasey Ulin said it was the first game of the year that the Riders have had their full roster available (Anton Kathol has been out recovering from a concussion he sustained during football season and Payton Schmidt missed time due to bronchitis) and that it was their best all-around game of the year offensively and defensively.
“Obviously having Anton back is really nice,” Ulin said. “We’re finally getting healthy and back to full strength.”
Not only did the Riders shoot lights out from outside, but Liam Clark and Garrett Edwards were dominant inside, shooting a combined 11 for 14. Port Angeles also outrebounded Olympic 44-26 with Clark gathering 13 rebounds.
Kyle Benedict led the team, hitting four 3-pointers and scoring 20. Payton Schmidt hit five first half 3-pointers and scored 17. Clark had 12 points and seven blocks, while shooting 6 for 8 from the field. Garrett Edwards scored 12 on 5 for 6 shooting. Kathol scored nine in his return to the Riders.
Port Angeles (2-1, 3-2) hosts a good Bremerton team (3-2, 5-5) at 7 p.m. today. Ulin said the Knights have won three straight and will present a big challenge. The Riders then hosts their holiday basketball tournament Friday and Saturday with their opening game at 8:15 p.m. Friday against Rochester.
Port Angeles 83, Olympic 52
PA 23 17 21 22 — 83
Olympic 13 9 15 15 — 52
Port Angeles (83) — Benedict 20, Schmidt 17, Clark 12, Edwards 12, Kathol 9, Cobb 5, Methner 3, Nickerson 3, Johnson 2.
Olympic (52) — Morgan 13, White 10, Barron 8, Brehmer 5, McInnis 5, Nelson 3, Holland 2, Kinsfather 2, Lindal 2, Shelton 2.
Forks 76, Chimacum 35
FORKS — The Spartans got off to a hot start, scoring 53 points in the first half, then cruising in the second half en route to a win over the Cowboys.
Forks got four 3-pointers and 20 points from Cort Prose, 12 points from Braton Armas, 11 from Seth Johnson and eight points each from Brandon Baar and Joseph Reaume. Chimacum was led by Issac Purser, Henry Brebberman and Jonah Diehl, who all scored eight. Cole Dotson scored seven.
“It was nice to get a chance to have everyone play,” said Forks coach Rick Gooding. He said Prose scored his points in basically 2 1/2 quarters.
The Spartans (5-2 overall) will next play in the Port Angeles Holiday Tournament against 4A Auburn Mountainview at 6:45 p.m. Friday. They will play again Saturday against either Port Angeles or Rochester. “We’re pretty excited [about the tournament]. That’s some great competition,” said Gooding.
Chimacum (0-2, 0-6) will host South Whidbey at 6 p.m. Friday.
Forks 76, Chimacum 35
Chimacum 11 4 8 15— 35
Forks 28 25 17 6 — 76
Forks (76) — Prose 20, Armas 12, Johnson 11, Reaume 8, Baar 8, Ness 5, Morton 4, Olson 3.
Chimacum (35) — Purser 8, Diehl 8, Brebberman 8, Dotson 7, Clark 2, Williamson 2.
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Compiled from team reports. Email scores to sports@peninsuladailynews.com or phone 360-417-3525.