ALL-PENINSULA BOYS BASKETBALL MVP: Solomon Sheppard soared for the Wolves this season

Published 1:30 am Thursday, April 2, 2026

SEQUIM — It was quite the season for Sequim’s Solomon Sheppard, capped off by his recent commitment to play for Pierce College.

Sheppard, a senior, averaged 18.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.6 steals per game for the Wolves. He made the Olympic League’s first team.

But those numbers don’t totally explain what a demon he was on defense. Sheppard specialized in creating steals and finding ways to create fast breaks, which usually ended with him soaring above the rim for a thunderous slam dunk.

Because of his spectacular exploits this season for the Wolves, he is the second straight Sequim player to be named the All-Peninsula boys basketball most valuable player. Last year, it was Jericho Julmist winning that honor.

“He is a really dynamic player,” said coach Craig Brooks. Brooks said his athleticism was one of his strengths, but that there was much more to Sheppard’s game.

“His relentless attacks to the basket. He’s hard to stop,” Brooks said. “He got our energy up with his dunks and defense.”

Brooks said Sheppard was outstanding in shooting the passing lanes. And he did it often during clutch times in games.

“Almost on demand, he could choose to take the ball away from the other team,” he said.

“He was a joy to coach for four years,” Brooks said. “Pierce College will be a good fit for him.”

Sheppard also plays AAU ball and said many of his AAU teammates committed to Pierce, making it an easy decision to go there.

“A lot of my teammates are already there. These are guys I already know,” he said.

Sheppard said what he will remember most this year is taking on the role of leader. That role became even more important when Julmist joined a traveling AAU team.

“I’ve been on varsity since I was a freshman, and the seniors were always the leaders. I’m glad that I got to be a leader this year,” he said.

Sheppard’s best memories are playing in the raucous Sequim gym and bringing the crowd to its feet with his dunking skills. He is 6-foot-4 and dunks with ease. He is especially fond of the memories of Sequim’s regular-season win at home over rival Port Angeles on a loud night in the gym.

“Playing at home and all of our fans coming out to support us. The middle school and elementary school kids would come out and support us,” he said.

Sheppard knows that the speed of the college game is much faster than high school, but he’s already preparing for it.

“Every chance I get, I go run with the college guys and try to match them,” he said.

All-Peninsula Boys Basketball Team

• Mason Rapelje, Jr. Sequim: Rapelje formed a formidable one-two punch with Solomon and was named to the Olympic League first team. He averaged 14.7 points a game. The highlight of his season was a 37-point game in a victory over rival Port Angeles.

• Brody Pierce, Sr., Port Angeles: Pierce averaged 18.3 points a game and made the Olympic League second team. His season highlights included a 33-point game against North Kitsap and a 29-point game in a win over Sequim.

• Hunter Flores, Sr., Port Angeles: Flores was part of Port Angeles’ own one-two punch along with Pierce. He averaged 14.6 points a game and also made the Olympic League second team. Flores was incredibly consistent. He didn’t have any huge games, but he scored in double figures in virtually every game this season. He almost never had an off night.

• Luke O’Hara, Soph., East Jefferson: O’Hara was named to the Nisqually League’s first team. He led the Rivals by scoring 16.8 points and pulling down 7.4 rebounds a game. He had eight 20-point games and six double-doubles for the Rivals. His best game came against Life Christian, in which he scored 32 points and pulled down 12 rebounds.

• Titus Rowley, Jr., Forks: Rowley had a monster season for the Spartans and was named the Pacific 2B League Most Valuable player. He averaged 21 points and 14 rebounds a game in league. Among his top games were 33 points and 19 rebounds against Raymond-South Bend, 36 points and 18 rebounds against Hoquiam and finally an incredible Bill Russell-like 32 points and 34 rebounds in a rematch with Raymond-South Bend.

• Tyler Swan, Sr., Neah Bay: Tyler Swan was named the North Olympic League MVP. He averaged 24.1 points and 9.3 rebounds a game. He made 60 3-pointers this season.

Broke the Neah Bay all-time scoring record with 1,618 points and set the Red Devils’ single season scoring mark of 652 points during the season.

• Eli Allen, Soph. Quilcene: Eli Allen was the leading scorer for Quilcene, pouring in 276 points and pulling down 199 rebounds for the Rangers this season.

• Jax and Liam Sprague, Soph. and Fr., Crescent: Siblings Jax and Liam Sprague led the Loggers this season with similar numbers. Jax averaged 18.2 points a game, while Liam averaged 17.4 points and 6.6 rebounds a game.

• William Hull, Sr., Clallam Bay: Season stats were not available for William Hull, but he was Clallam Bay’s leading scorer and cracked 1,000 career points this season.

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Sports editor Pierre LaBossiere can be contacted at sports@peninsuladaily news.com.