PORT ANGELES — The North Mason boys basketball team scored the opening bucket against Port Angeles, quickly taking a 3-0 lead.
It didn’t last.
The Roughriders went on a 17-0 run, gave up another 3-pointer, then went on a 19-0 run to make it 36-6. After giving up that early 3-pointer, the Riders outscored North Mason by 78 points the rest of the way with a jaw-dropping Olympic 2A League-opening 92-17 win.
With the shocking win margin over a 2A opponent, the Riders sent the message to the rest of the league, and perhaps the rest of the 2A teams in the state that they are going to be a force to reckon with this year. They have size, can shoot and most of all, they have a ferocious defense.
Port Angeles had at least 15 steals in the first half alone, with much of that havoc caused by Xander Maestas and Parker Nickerson in the backcourt. The Riders also got four blocks from 6-foot-9 center John Vaara and another block from Nickerson. Many of those 92 points came on fast breaks created by steals and other North Mason turnovers forced by the Riders’ defense.
The Riders didn’t allow a single field goal in the second half, outscoring the Bulldogs 49-2 over the final 16 minutes. North Mason’s only two points of the half came on a goaltending call.
Vaara and Wyatt Dunning led the way with 28 points each, with Dunning hitting four 3-pointers for the second straight game. Vaara’s output included three dunks and a 3-point basket. Even Nickerson, all 6-foot-0 of him, got into the act, showing some serious hops with a big dunk in the second half after a steal.
“We’re just playing with fun and joy,” said coach Kasey Ulin. “The two things we want to lead the state in is sweat and smiles.”
Ulin was proud of the zero field goals allowed for a half. He said he had never seen that in a boys’ game before.
“If we buy in on the defensive end, we have a chance to be special,” he said.
Ulin said this team isn’t shy about talking about postseason. In one early-season poll, the Riders are ranked No. 4 in the state.
“This group has some really lofty goals,” he said.
When asked if he was most proud of his dunks, blocks or his 3-pointer, Vaara said it was Nickerson’s dunk he liked the most.
“It was nice to see Parker get his first dunk in a game,” Vaara said. “We were all very happy for him”
Nickerson finished with 14, while Maestas had 12 and Michael Soule 10.
Port Angeles (2-0, 1-0) next plays at Olympic (2-2, 0-1) on Tuesday.
Port Angeles 92, North Mason 17
NM 6 9 0 2 — 17
PA 28 25 19 20 — 92
North Mason (17) — Brown 8, Miniker 6, Littrean 3.
Port Angeles (92) — Vaara 28, Dunning 28, Nickerson 14, Maestas 12, Soule 10.
Forks 52, South Bend 38
SOUTH BEND — The Spartans overcame a tough shooting night to earn a road win over the Indians.
“It wasn’t really until the fourth quarter that we felt comfortable, it felt like there was a big lid on the rim,” Forks coach Rick Gooding said. “We thought we could press them a little bit and they broke it, but we got into the zone in the second half and were better against the basketball.
“Offensively, we got more patient against them in the second half, even reversed ball the a couple of times for some baskets.”
Ryan Rancourt led the way with 16 points, 10 of those coming in the first quarter.
“He kept us afloat in the first quarter and Aidan Salazar had five big points for us in the third,” Gooding said.
Forks (2-0, 2-3) hosts Ilwaco (2-0, 3-0) on Wednesday.
Forks 52, South Bend 38
Forks 12 7 20 13 — 52
SB 14 11 11 2 — 38
Forks (52) — Northcut 6, Davis, Doyle 4, Micheau 12, Salazar 5, Rancourt 16, Lausche 0, Olson 7, Urvina 2.
Bremerton 78, Sequim 53
SEQUIM — The Knights sank 11 3-pointers to shoot past the Wolves on Thursday.
“Rough game, [Bremerton had] too much speed for our guys,” coach Greg Glasser said.
Isaiah Moore led Sequim with 16 points while Kenan Green added 14.
The Wolves (0-2, 1-3) visit Central Kitsap on Monday.
Bainbridge 78, Sequim 53
BB 16 21 21 20 — 78
Seq. 12 13 8 20 — 53
Sequim (53) — Moore 16, Green 14, Possin 11, Mooney 5, Anderson 4, Mingoy 3, Smithson 2.
Annie Wright 96, East Jefferson 42
PORT TOWNSEND — The Rivals were chomped by the Nisqually League-leading Gators at home on Thursday.
Annie Wright sophomore Hunter Carter totaled 42 points.
East Jefferson was led by 20 points from senior Lonnie Kenney.
The Rivals (1-2, 1-3) visit Bellevue Christian on Tuesday.
Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News Port Angeles’ Xander Maestas, right, puts it through the net as North Mason’s Clay Averts, left, and Connor McColm hope for a rebound during Thursday’s game at Port Angeles High School.
