PORT ANGELES — With Port Angeles resting three starters, two due to ankle injuries and another to illness, the Roughriders’ depth shined through in a 78-31 Olympic League 2A Division boys basketball victory over Kingston.
Damen Ringgold, Chase Cobb and Anton Kathol all sat Wednesday to make sure they were as rested as possible in advance of tonight’s rematch at No. 3 North Kitsap (6-1, 13-2).
Gary Johnson of Port Angeles, right, drives down court with Kingston’s Orlando Chiquiti in pursuit at Port Angeles High School on Wednesday. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
“Damen and Chase kind of tweaked their ankles and Anton was a little sick, so we thought another day of rest would be a big help,” Port Angeles coach Kasey Ulin Said.
Ulin did wonder what the finished product would like without those three in the lineup, but a number of seniors and sophomores stepped up in their stead.
Senior guard Gary Johnson scored all 16 of his points in the first half for the Riders (6-1, 11-4).
“He came out and showed great senior leadership,” Johnson said. He and Dru got us in good looks all night. Gary was really confident and aggressive early.”
Seniors Derek Bowechop and Nolan Hughes also had big nights.
“Derek had 11 rebounds and eight assists,” Ulin said. “He was really efficient and effective.”
Port Angeles’ John Vaara goes up and over a collection of Kinston defenders for a layup during Wednesday night’s game in Port Angeles. (Keith Thorpe /Peninsula Daily News)
Hughes notched a varsity career-high of eight points.
Six-foot-eight inch sophomore center John Vaara got his first varsity start and posted nine points and 14 rebounds.
“He was a presence for us,” Ulin said.
Wyatt Dunning added 12 points “and played great defense,” Ulin said.
Sophomore guard Quanah Wheeler added eight points.
“That was his first time on varsity and he hit a couple of 3s and made some reads,” Ulin said.
Ulin was particularly pleased to see five sophomores finish the game out in the fourth quarter.
“Great to see us play five sophomores the whole fourth quarter and we outscored them 28-4,” Ulin said. “This sophomore group has really been working hard for us.
“We had 24 assists and the ball movement was phenomenal. When we make the right read and hit the open guy we are really tough.
Now comes the rematch with the Vikings tonight at 7 p.m. at North Kitsap High School in Poulsbo.
Port Angeles rallied from a 20-point deficit to knock off the Vikings 65-64 on Dec. 18.
“Realistically, this is a league championship game,” Ulin said. “North will be fired up and well prepared and this is why you work so hard all year and commit in the offseason. They know us well, we know them well. It’s going to be a good one.”
Port Angeles 78, Kingston 31
Kingston 5 10 12 4— 31
Port Angeles 20 21 9 28 — 78
Port Angeles (78) — Johnson 16, Nickerson 6, Hughes 8, Clark 4, Maestas 7, Methner 2, Hall 2, Wheeler 8, Dunning 12, Jarnagin 2, Bowechop 2, Vaara 9.
Sequim guard Dallin Despain, right, sets up for a mid-range shot against North Mason on Wednesday. (Conor Dowley/Olympic Peninsula News Group)
Sequim 51, North Mason 46
SEQUIM — Freshman Isaiah Moore had a solid night leading the Wolves in scoring with 15 points and grabbing six rebounds with a steal and an assist in a win over the Bulldogs.
Moore was an efficient 5 of 9 from the floor, including 2 of 4 on 3-point attempts. He also was a perfect 3 of 3 from the free-throw line.
Erik Christiansen added 12 points, five steals and four rebounds for the Wolves.
Dallin Despain had nine points, eight rebounds, two assists and two steals at point guard for Sequim.
The Wolves (5-3, 10-6) moved into a tie with Bremerton (5-3, 9-5) for third place in the Olympic League standings and stayed a game ahead of Olympic (4-4, 5-10) for the Olympic League’s fourth seed to the district tournament.
Sequim visits Bremerton tonight.
Sequim 51, North Mason 46
North Mason 11 16 13 6— 46
Sequim 17 15 8 11— 51
Sequim (51) — Moore 15, Christiansen 12, Despain 9, Eaton 6, Young 6, Chen 3, Duncan, Allen.
Chief Kitsap 52, Crescent 40
JOYCE — The Loggers never got comfortable in a North Olympic League loss to the Bears.
“We struggled to put the ball in the hole,” Crescent coach Chris Ferrier said. “Chief Kitsap sped us up a little and got us out of our comfort zone a little. We made some mistakes that we don’t normally make. They got out on us and never pulled away but kept it right at about 10 the whole game. We didn’t play poorly at all; Chief Kitsap was just a little better than us tonight, wanted it a little more.”
The Loggers (1-1, 4-6) visit Neah Bay tonight.
Chief Kitsap 52, Crescent 40
Chief Kitsap 14 12 10 16— 52
Crescent 9 7 12 12— 40
Crescent (40) — Sage 6 Ferrel 4 Owens 7 E.Emery 4, Bergstrom 11, Ward 0, Ritchie 8, O’Neel 0
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Compiled from team reports. Email scores to sports@peninsuladailynews.com or phone 360-417-3525.
