Post player John Vaara, at 6-foot-9, was instrumental in the Port Angeles boys basketball team coming back with its first trophy since 1997 from the state 2A basketball tournament this weekend.

Despite facing double and even triple teams much of the time, Vaara averaged a double-double over his final three games at the Yakima SunDome as the Roughriders finished sixth in the state. Vaara averaged 14.3 points and 13 rebounds in those last three contests.

In a game Thursday against North Kitsap, Vaara had 13 points and 11 rebounds. In perhaps his best game of the tournament, Vaara pulled down a whopping 19 boards while scoring 17 in a win over Prosser on Friday that sent the Riders to the medal round.

Finally, in the Riders’ finale on Saturday, Vaara had 13 points, nine rebounds and four blocks.

Vaara also plays baseball for the Riders and will be back on the diamond for Port Angeles later this week.

Athlete of the Week is sponsored by Swains General Store in Port Angeles.