PORT ANGELES — Freshman Lindsay Smith scored a career-high 24 points and the Port Angeles defense limited and then eliminated North Mason in a 67-30 bi-district girls basketball game Thursday.
The Roughriders (12-10) advanced to face another Olympic League foe in North Kitsap (12-11) today in a loser-out, winner-to-state regional round contest at 2:30 p.m. at Mount Tahoma High School in Tacoma.
“Our coaching staff was impressed with how well the players bounced back from Tuesday night’s tough loss [44-42 to Renton],” coach Michael Poindexter said.
Port Angeles limited the Bulldogs to just 23-percent shooting and forced 31 North Mason turnovers while handing the ball back just 11 times.
“Our first-half defensive approach focused on limiting North Mason’s top two scorers, Adrienna Tupolo and Adrienne Tupolo. We did well at that; the two combined for just five of North Mason’s 18 first-half points. Our 1-3-1 zone in the second half caused 18 North Mason second-half turnovers,” Poindexter said.
Attacking the inside of the Bulldogs’ 2-3 zone offensively also was important for the Riders.
“In our last outing at North Mason, we struggled to get the ball inside against their 2-3 zone and ended up shooting 40 3-pointers,” Poindexter said.
[Thursday night], we were more patient, resulting in a balanced scoring game with 21 of our points off 3-pointers, 34 points inside, and 12 more from the free-throw line. Anna Petty, Lindsay Smith and Piper Williams did a great job of getting the ball to scorers inside.
Petty led the team with eight assists and six steals to go along with 11 points and five rebounds in her last game in the Rider Gym. Smith and Williams each posted three assists.
Sophomore post Lexie Smith also totaled 13 points, six rebounds and four steals for Port Angeles (12-10).
“Our passing and zone offensive movement was outstanding, one of our better efforts of the season,” Poindexter said.
Port Angeles 67, North Mason 30
North Mason 7 11 8 4— 30
Port Ang. 20 18 13 16— 67
North Mason (30) — Griffey 12, T. Tupolo 8, Adrie. Tupolo 5, Adria. Tupolo 3, Garcia 1.
Port Angeles (67) — Li. Smith 24, Le. Smith 13, Petty 11, Mason 8, Clark 3, Izzy Felton 3, Stevens 3, Rognlien 1, Williams 1, Moses, Manson.
Sequim in title game
BURIEN — The Wolves (20-1) rallied in the second half to buzz past the Hornets 60-55 and earn a spot in the District 2/3 Girls Basketball Tournament Championship.
Sequim, No. 2 in the Class 2A RPI, will face No. 12 Renton (17-4) in the title game tonight at 6 p.m. at North Mason High School.
Libby Turella and Hannah Bates led the way offensively and defensively for the Wolves with each player totaling 13 points and five assists.
“We had a terrible shooting night, but the girls worked hard on the defensive side,” coach Joclin Julmist said. “Hannah did a great job leading the team and making timely baskets. Libby came in and gave us a big spark of the banch with her defense and her shooting.”
Sequim trailed by three points entering the fourth quarter.
“Jolene [Vaara] was very good in the fourth quarter taking the ball to the basket,” Julmist said. Vaara had 12 points, seven rebounds, three blocked shots and a steal.
Jelissa Julmist posted 11 rebounds and seven points while Sammie Bacon added eight points and five boards.
“Jelissa and Sammie worked the boards,” Julmist said. “Bobbi was solid in the first half and Dani gave us some good minutes down low.”
Sequim 60, Enumclaw 55
Enumclaw 14 16 12 13— 55
Sequim 8 13 18 21— 60
Sequim (60) — Turella 13, Bates 13, Vaara 12, Bacon 8, Julmist 7, Mixon 7, Herman, Green.
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Sports reporter/columnist Michael Carman can be contacted at mcarman@peninsuladailynews.com.