By Michael Carman
Peninsula Daily News
PORT ANGELES — Progress can be a difficult prospect when teams which want to go from good to great continue to encounter nagging issues such as inconsistent free throw shooting and the killer instinct required to close out teams in late-game scenarios.
Port Angeles may have turned a corner in its 50-39 Olympic League 2A Division contest with Olympic on Friday by leaping over those previously mentioned stumbling blocks.
The Roughriders were locked in defensively during an 11-2 stretch to close out the final 5:10 of the fourth quarter and dialed in at the free throw line in the final minute, converting 6 of 6 attempts in the game’s last 45 seconds in a tussle with the Trojans for sole control of second place.
“We knew exactly what the game was going to be like, physical and ratty at times, and they went on that run to cut it to two with like six minutes to go and you could just see the focus was lost,” Port Angeles head coach Kasey Ulin said. “But they regained their composure and it was really great to see us get stops in the last three minutes, take care of the ball and knock down free throws.
“I’m so proud of the guys. It was great. It’s all about turning corners for programs that are trying to get to a higher level. Closing teams out. We didn’t close out a team in that tournament in Yakima. I was asked if that tournament helped us and to me this is a prime example of closing a team out. We got stops, we executed, we made free throws and hit all 6 of 6 down the stretch.”
A tight game throughout, with neither team able to take lead of more than nine points, the Riders received strong performances from up and down their roster.
Andrew Borde knocked down three first-half 3s from off the bench to give Port Angeles its first lead at 16-13 early in the second quarter. The Riders also made some defensive adjustments that sealed off Olympic’s ability to get close shots inside.
“I thought we were phenomenal all night on defense,” Ulin said. “Our halfcourt defense was, I don’t know what their shooting percentage was, maybe 25 percent. You hold a team like that, that was our best job of the year in holding a team to one [shot] or less.”
Payton Schmidt hit two more triples in that second quarter as the Riders took a 24-20 lead into the locker room.
“We talked about owning the moment and not being hesitant [to take shots],” Ulin said. “It was great to see when guys were open there was no hesitation.”
Anton Kathol came off the bench to play tight defense inside and clean up on the offensive and defensive glass.
“I thought Borde and Anton off the bench tonight were huge sparks,” Ulin said. “Borde hit some huge 3s and Anton was great defensively and worked hard to get us a couple of offensive rebounds and putbacks.”
A tight game the entire evening, Port Angeles built a nine-point lead in the third quarter with some effort plays on the offensive end. Liam Clark and Kathol had three straight baskets during possessions that saw the Riders work to earn second and third shot opportunities.
And the 6-foot-7 Clark was a menacing presence inside and out, especially in the second half, rebounding, impacting shots inside and blocking shots rows deep into the bleachers.
“He is special,” Ulin said. “Right now he has an intensity about him that is growing almost daily and that’s scary because he’s so versatile.”
But Olympic wouldn’t go quietly and went on a 7-0 run over 2:05 of the fourth quarter to pull within 39-37 with 5:10 to go.
Garrett Edwards answered with five straight points on two difficult scores among a crowd of Trojan defenders in the low post, including converting on a free throw after a made bucket, as Port Angeles went up 44-37.
Olympic got within five, 44-39, with 3:05 to play, but the Riders pitched a shutout the rest of the way as Easton Joslin and Kyle Benedict handled the ball well against the Trojans’ pressure and the pair hit all six of their free throws in the final 45 seconds (Joslin canned two and Benedict the final four).
“Easton was getting pressured at point all game and he did a pretty good job of handling the ball and down the stretch he was phenomenal,” Ulin said.
“We did have too many turnovers in this game, so we have to continue to get better at executing, taking care of the ball and not shooting ourselves in the foot.”
After such a big win, Port Angeles’ (4-1, 8-5) focus turns to avoiding a letdown at home Tuesday against North Mason (1-4, 4-7).
Port Angeles 50, Olympic 39
Olympic 13 7 10 9 — 39
PA 10 14 13 13 — 50
Olympic (39) — Dean 11, Mosley 10, Turnquist 7, Dower 6, White 3, Talarico 2.
Port Angeles (50) — Benedict 10, Borde 9, Schmidt 9, Edwards 7, Clark 6, Kathol 4, Joslin 3, Johnson 2.
