POULSBO — Going up against a red-hot and defending state-champion North Kitsap squad, the Port Angeles boys basketball team fell just short in the fourth quarter, losing on the road 73-69.
The Vikings came into the game having won seven in a row and having just beat an opponent 105-26. But the 5-2 Roughriders gave them everything they could handle.
“They’re the defending state champion and probably the No. 1 team in the state,” said coach Kasey Ulin. He said the Riders were up by eight points at one point in the third quarter.
“They had three or four possessions in the end of the third that gave them a lot of rhythm going into the fourth,” he said. “We executed the game plan for 95 percent of that game.”
Ulin also said free throws were a factor. North Kitsap shot 25 while Port Angeles shot eight.
The Riders were paced by Xander Maestas, who hit five 3-pointers and scored 23 points. Post player John Vaara had 12 points, eight rebounds and five blocks. Chase Cobb had 13 points and 10 rebounds.
Wyatt Dunning added 12 points and eight rebounds while Dru Clark had 10 points and seven assists.
Ulin said the Riders kept the Vikings’ star player Jonas La Tour under control for most of the gamed, but he got loose for 29 points with a big fourth quarter.
“I’m very proud of our guys,” Ulin said. “We’re very close to being able to go into any gym and win.”
After two tough, close losses — The Riders last week lost to 3A Bainbridge by three points — Ulin said the team’s goal is to continue to improve and grow and win the Olympic League tournament in June.
The Riders get a second crack at North Kitsap on June 3 in Port Angeles. Their next game is at 3A Central Kitsap (6-3) on Tuesday.
Sequim 53, Klahowya 47
SILVERDALE — The Sequim boys basketball team saw the return of Erik Christiansen from a shoulder injury and was able to fend off Klahowya 53-47 in a close road game to improve to 3-4 on the season.
Christiansen led the Wolves with 20 points. Cole Smithson had 11 and Jayden Possin hit three 3-pointers while scoring 10. Isaiah Moore had eight points.
Sequim 53, Klahowya 47
Sequim 19 9 12 13 — 53
Klah. 12 9 11 15 — 47
Sequim (53) — Christiansen 20, Smithson 11, Possin 10, Moore 8, Mooney 4.
Klahowya (47) — D. Kraft 15, Clarke 9, Lont 7, Walters 6, Solvie 3, E. Kraft 3, Slater 2, Leafeste 1.
Forks 73, South Bend 23
SOUTH BEND — The Spartans shook off a slow start and started to put the ball in the basket in the second and third quarters to remain unbeaten.
“It was a little bit of a ping-pong start and we missed a lot of open looks,” coach Rick Gooding said.
“Defensively, sometimes just taking a deep breath and playing tough D will help you break out.”
Logan Olson and Trey Baysinger each scored 17 to lead undefeated Forks (6-0).
“Logan Olson hit three 3s in the third quarter that really got us going,” Gooding said.
“We were fairly balanced offensively and it was nice to get nine from Raymond [Davis].”
Forks hosts Ilwaco (5-1) at 6 p.m. Tuesday. A win will give the Spartans a season sweep of the Fishermen — and Forks would keep control of first place in the Pacific League.
“That will be a great game,” Gooding said of Tuesday’s contest.
Forks 73, South Bend 23
Forks 13 21 27 12 — 73
SB 8 4 7 4 — 23
Forks (73) — Pursley 4, R. Davis 9, K. Steffen 3, Horejsi 11, Rancourt 2, Flores 6, Northcutt, Doyle 2, Olson 17, Baysinger 17, Beebe 2.
Neah Bay 80, East Jefferson 74
PORT TOWNSEND — Neah Bay and East Jefferson played a tough, physical game with the Red Devils coming out ahead 80-74.
Neah Bay coach Kane Bachelor said there were 51 fouls called between the two teams and that his team made 25 free throws.
“It was a game both teams wanted to win badly. We told our players throughout the game and at half that cool heads would prevail and the team that executed would come out on top,” Bachelor said.
Jaden Halttunen led the Red Devils with 21 points, going 11-for-13 at the line. Julian Carrick scored 20, shooting 8-for-10 from the line.
Lonnie Kenney led East Jefferson with 22 points, while Joseph Savill had 12 and Tanner Carstensen 10.
“We have to learn to defend without fouling before we play this team again next Saturday,” Bachelor said.
Neah Bay (4-0) next hosts Crescent (1-5) at 7:15 p.m. Tuesday. East Jefferson (0-7) hosts Bremerton (4-0) at 7 p.m. Tuesday.
Neah Bay 80, East Jefferson 74
NB 15 24 17 24 — 80
EJ 15 21 18 20 — 74
Neah Bay (80) — Jaden Halttunen 21, Carrick 20, Jaxson Halttunen 10, Wimberly 10, Devon Halttunen 8, Lovik 7, Chambers 3, Butterfield 1.
East Jefferson (74) — Kenney 22, Savill 12, Carstensen 10, Toner 9, Petty 7, Martin 7, Hammer 4, Harris 2, Moore 1.
Girls basketball
Sequim 69, Bainbridge 57
BAINBRIDGE — The Sequim girls basketball team got off to a good start in the first quarter and then fended off 3A Bainbridge 69-57 to improve to 4-1 on the season.
“It was a relatively close game the whole time, but we pulled together in the third quarter and focused on getting the ball into our posts and have our shooters ready,” said coach Linsay Rapelje.
The Julmist sisters both had double-doubles. Jayla Julmist scored 15 points and pulled down 10 rebounds, while younger sister Jelissa Julmist had 11 points and 13 boards.
Hannah Bates and Kalli Wiker each hit three 3-pointers and scored 13 points apiece for the well-balanced Wolves.
Melissa Porter had seven points, six assists and three steals and played tough defense, according to Rapelje. Jolene Vaara added five points, five rebounds and three assists.
Sequim plays a makeup game at home at 6:45 p.m. today against North Mason (1-4).
Sequim 69, Bainbridge 57
Sequim 17 13 21 18 — 69
Bain. 8 15 16 18 — 57
Sequim (69) — Jayla Julmist 15, Bates 13, Wiker 13, Jelissa Julmist 11, Porter 7, Vaara 5, Weller 3.
Bainbridge (57) — Kozlosky 20, Colbert 15, Chin 10, Nelson 6, Byers 6.
