PORT ANGELES — The economy must be getting better.
The 14th annual MayDay Roundball youth basketball tournament, hosted by Port Angeles Parks and Recreation Department, had its largest turnout ever this past weekend.
A record 44 teams — 37 from off the North Olympic Peninsula — came to Port Angeles to play from all around western Washington, along with two teams from British Columbia and one from Portland, Ore.
Most of the area teams struggled against the strong competition with only two making it to a championship game in their categories.
Sequim captured the fifth-grade girls championship while the Port Angeles Avalanche varsity girls team, with players from both Port Angeles and Sequim, claimed second to a powerhouse team from Portland.
The Avalanche made it to the championship game, where they gave the Runnin’ Rebels of Portland all they could handle before losing 46-38.
Team members include Port Angeles players Krista Johnson, Macy Walker, Krissy Marvelle, Shayla Northern, Paxton Rodocker, Kylee Jeffers, Bailee Jones and Brittany Norberg.
Sequim players include Taylor Balkan and Caitlyn Stofferahn
In Game One the Avalanche defeated Westside of Snohomish County 39-23 with Walker leading the way with 14 points and Johnson adding nine.
In Game Two the Avalanche beat Team Fusion of Lake Stevens 52-22 as Balkan led the way with 14 points and Jeffers added 10.
In the championship game, the Avalanche trailed 23-21 at halftime to the Runnin’ Rebels but ended up losing 46-38.
The Avalanche were up by four points with about 8 minutes left.
Jeffers scored a team-high 11 points for Port Angeles.