SEQUIM — Sequim harassed North Kitsap into 33 turnovers and claimed an early-season tussle for the top of the Olympic League girls basketball standings with a 65-36 win over the Vikings.
The Wolves (2-0, 4-1) led nearly the entirety of Tuesday’s game, forcing North Kitsap (2-1, 4-1) into more turnovers (19) than points (10) after the first half and pulling away late in the third and fourth quarters.
“Our man-to-man defense was a lot better,” Sequim coach Joclin Julmist said. “The girls focused on their assignments and helped each other.”
Julmist called it “a good team win” with multiple Wolves stepping up and shining.
Jelissa Julmist opened things up inside for the Wolves, scoring all 10 of the team’s points in the first quarter and 14 of her game-high 26 points by halftime. Julmist added 11 rebounds for a double-double and nabbed four steals.
Jolene Vaara was instrumental in the win, seemingly all over the perimeter and the paint on both offense and defense, and posting the best all-around stat line of the night with 11 points, seven rebounds, six steals, five assists and three blocked shots.
“I think Jolene had the best game of all, she shut down their best player [Sophia Baugh] and she was all over the place. She finished and attacked also,” Julmist said.
Lauryn Stephens came off the bench and canned a big 3-point basket just before halftime to push Sequim’s lead to 13 at the break. The smooth-shooting Stephens added three triples in the fourth quarter for 12 points on the night on 4 of 5 3-point shooting.
“Lauryn was on fire tonight,” Julmist said.
A Vaara steal opened the third quarter with Vaara finding Addie Smith for an easy layup.
Freshman Bobbie Mixon draped herself defensively on North Kitsap senior Ayanna Selembo all game long, holding her to three points.
Mixon also connected on consecutive 3-pointers in the third quarter and scored all 10 of her points in the frame as Sequim withstood a mini North Kitsap run that trimmed the Wolves’ lead back to 13, 37-24 with 3:28 left in the third period.
“Bobbi had her best game of the season playing the lanes,” Julmist said. Mixon had four steals to go along with her 10 points.
“She’s capable of that, but she’s been reacting to what has been happening rather than anticipating and tonight she played more naturally,” Julmist said.
Sequim closed the quarter on a 10-0 run to go up 47-28 before Joclin Julmist was assessed two technical fouls with 11.5 seconds left in the third.
Julmist said he asked the officials to call the game both ways after what he thought was some overly aggressive contact in the post that went without a whistle and was given his first technical with the second following in quick succession.
The Wolves visit North Mason on Thursday.
Sequim 65, North Kitsap 36
NK 4 6 18 8 — 36
Seq. 10 13 24 18 — 65
North Kitsap (36) — Sunnenberg 12, Reed 10, Baugh 9, Selembo 3, Beers 2.
Sequim (65) — Julmist 26, Stephens 12, Vaara 11, Mixon 10, Bates 4, Smith 2, Morey.
