YAKIMA — Facing a sizeable deficit against a formidable foe, Port Angeles could have packed it in early and gone through the motions against No. 2 Ellensburg.
Instead, the No. 6 Roughriders (20-7) mounted a charge, coming all the way back from a 15-point third quarter deficit to take the lead against the Bulldogs late in the fourth quarter, but Port Angeles couldn’t quite finish it out, falling 52-46 on Friday at the Yakima SunDome.
“I was so impressed with our effort. We could have folded and felt sorry for ourselves but we fought back,” Riders coach Michael Poindexter said. The goal was to get [Ellensburg’s lead] to 10 entering the fourth and we got it to six. So we were right there, then we get the lead, but they hit free throws and a 3 down the stretch.”
The loss ended Olympic League and West Central District champion Port Angeles’ run at the Class 2A Girls Basketball Tournament one win shy of a state trophy, the second straight season the Riders have been a win away from a top-six state finish and a state trophy.
But this wasn’t the same team that got stomped by Lynden in a loser-out at state last season.
“Resilient in the midst of adversity,” Poindexter said of the difference between the two squads. “I think we were much more resilient this year.
“The second area in which we grew, and still have room, was a team focus over the individual. And team unity, both of those things were good. You could see that in a lot of our comeback wins this year, WF West, Ferndale, even how we played against Seattle Prep. “
And the difference was evident before and after Friday’s contest, Poindexter said.
“Just a world of difference in the postgame lockeroom and the pregame locker room,” Poindexter said. “Postgame, the kids were really enjoying each other and even sharing some laughter in the locker room and an appreciation for how they played today and the season they had.
“They were sad, we wanted to win that game, but the way we went out was with integrity and some pride and we hung with everybody here.”
Early on, it looked like three 9 a.m. tip offs in as many days was taking its toll on the Riders.
Port Angeles managed just two points in the first quarter, those coming on free throws by Eve Burke 12 seconds into the game, and trailed Ellensburg 10-2 after the first period.
The Riders woke up in the second quarter, but their shots still wouldn’t fall, and Port Angeles trailed 24-11 at halftime after shooting just 19 percent (4 of 21) from the floor and 1 of 9 on 3-point attempts.
Second-half rally
Poindexter said “nothing changed” after halftime on the offensive end for the Riders, but something clicked as Port Angeles sank 16 of 29 shots from the floor (55 percent) after the break.
“Nothing changed, we didn’t have any strategic differences, Ellensburg didn’t do anything differently,” Poindexter said.
Millie Long sparked the Riders with 10 of her 12 points in the third quarter as the Riders climbed back into the contest. Long led Port Angeles with nine rebounds and four assists in the contest and averaged 8.3 boards across the three state games to lead the Riders.
“Millie was great,” Poindexter said. “She played through some pain, a leg bruise, for most of the second half.”
Eve Burke led Port Angeles with 14 points on 6 of 11 shooting, to go with seven rebounds.
Camille Stensgard sparked the Riders off the bench, scoring seven points, including a follow basket in the lane to put Port Angeles up 44-43 with 2:35 to play.
“She made some shots,” Poindexter said of Stensagard. “We needed someone to calmly make some shots. I highlighted her and Ava Brenkman’s contributions off the bench. Ava came in and played six minutes and a bucket, two rebounds, an assist and a block. They were the highlights off the bench I thought.”
Ellensburg had the answer for Stensgard’s go-ahead basket, immediately reclaiming the lead on a Brinley Hagemeier 3. The Riders couldn’t get the lead back as the Bulldogs sank enough foul shots to salt the game away.
“We forced the ball a bit into their zone early instead of being patient and working it in,” Poindexter said of the game’s final minutes. We only had five turnovers in the second half, but they came at critical moments when we were making our way back in it, and those are tough emotionally.”
Brady graduates
Port Angeles will lose senior captain Mikkiah Brady to graduation. Brady scored five points in her last game in green and white.
“We will really miss her,” Poindexter said. “She was on a number of different types of teams in her four years as a varsity player. She is such a good teammate, captain and team leader. Always positive but not in a naive way. Very mature about not getting mired in drama. A solid belief system about life that we will really miss.”
The next step
Poindexter pointed out how close Port Angeles was to making the next step and getting through to the trophy round.
“[If not for ] A one-point loss to Tumwater at regionals and we are playing an East Valley team I think we could have beaten in the quarterfinals.
“That’s the next step and progression. Continuing to develop those habits and consistency and doing the little things right all the time that help you win close games. “
No. 2 Ellensburg 52, No. 6 Port Angeles 46
Port Angeles 2 9 17 18— 46
Ellensburg 10 14 10 18— 52
Port Angeles (46) — Burke 14, Long 12, Stensgard 7, Wood 6, Brady 5, Brenkman 2, Brown, Walker, Petty, Larson, Gedelman.
Ellensburg (52) — Phillip 12, Leishman 10, Hagemeier 8, Hartrick 7, Blume 6, Smith 6, Kennedy-Colson 4, Anderson 2, Whitney, Lyyski.
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Sports reporter/columnist Michael Carman can be contacted at 360-417-3525 or at mcarman@peninsuladailynews.com.
Jaida Wood looks to drive to the hoop as Port Angeles attempts a late comeback in her team’s 2A state tournament consolation game. (Mark Krulish/Kitsap News Group)
