Xander Maestas has been a big part of the Port Angeles Roughriders boys basketball team’s success this year.

The senior point guard has been an absolute terror on defense so far this season. Against North Mason in the team’s season-opening 92-17 win, Maestas had at least a half-dozen steals.

He had his best game of the season on Dec. 21. Playing without 6-foot-9 center John Vaara, the Riders beat

3A Bainbridge by 20 points with a lot of help from Maestas’ 21 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, not to mention his usual outstanding defense.

Maestas and his Riders teammates are playing at the Yakima Shootout this week against some of the top 1A and 2A teams in the state to prepare for a Jan. 4 game in Port Angeles against North Kitsap, the No. 1-ranked 2A team in the state.

Maestas is also an excellent track hurdler, winning the 300-meter Olympic League championship in this event in 2021.