SEQUIM — Libby Turella boosted Sequim past North Kitsap’s upset bid with a huge fourth quarter, as the Wolves remained unbeaten with a 64-49 win over the Vikings at home Thursday.
“Libby came in in the fourth quarter and gave us a spark, scoring all of her 14 points in the fourth,” coach Joclin Julmist said.
With Sequim up 39-34 heading to the final frame, Turella drained 5 of 6 shots, including 3 of 4 from beyond the 3-point line to seal the victory for the Wolves (10-0, 14-0).
Jolene Vaara led Sequim with 20 points and five steals.
“She was really good tonight on both sides of the floor,” Julmist said.
Jelissa Julmist had a solid all-around game with 12 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and six steals.
“Jelissa was really good tonight filling up the stat sheets, probably the most complete game of the season for her,” Julmist said of his daughter.
Sammie Bacon also added eight points and eight rebounds inside.
The Wolves visit North Mason on Monday.
Sequim 64, North Kitsap 49
North 11 9 14 15— 49
Sequim 14 13 12 25— 64
Sequim (64) — Vaara 20, Turella 14, Julmist 12, Bacon 8, Johnson 4, Mixon 3, Bates 3.
Ilwaco 54, Forks 51
ILWACO — The Spartans suffered a second-half slowdown in a tough loss to the Fishermen on Thursday.
Forks led 31-16 at halftime before defensive breakdowns and some cold-shooting offense turned the game on its head after halftime.
“Tough one, really,” coach David Hurn said. “We had a nice lead at halftime and allowed Ilwaco to get some open looks that we had limited in the first half. They got a little momentum and some hope, a dangerous thing at home and were able to tie it up and eventually beat us.”
Hurn said fatigue was a factor with his seven-player rotation.
“I didn’t have us where we needed to be physically for a game like that,” Hurn said. “We just weren’t ready for a four-quarter game like that. You could tell with our legs and rotations, stopped playing transition ball, went ice cold and our shots were all short.”
Forks (11-1, 8-4) remains a game ahead of Raymond (8-2, 12-4) and Ilwaco (7-2, 13-3) for the top spot in the Pacific League. The Spartans visit the Seagulls on Tuesday.
“We knew going in that we control our own destiny, and even with how disappointing it was, we can still win out and be league champs,” Hurn said.
Ilwaco 54, Forks 51
Forks 13 18 7 13— 51
Ilwaco 5 11 18 20— 54
Forks (60) — K. Wood 20, K. Johnson 13, Neel 12, Gaydeski-St. John 6.
Cascade Christian 33, East Jefferson 28
PORT TOWNSEND — The Rivals shook off a slow start to make it a game with the Cougars.
“Last time we played them we lost by 20-plus points,” coach Lorraine Rimson said. “This game was completely different — we were within one at the end.
“We played excellent defense for 32 minutes. We continue to improve, and I am very pleased. Our intensity was great.”
Alyssa Vandenberg led East Jefferson with 12 points. Sophomore Kay Botkin posted 11 points.
“Kay Botkin continues to grow as a point guard, and the team is responding well,” Rimson said. “I’m very excited about our positive trajectory.”
The Rivals (4-5, 5-8) visit Seattle Christian tonight.
Cascade Christian 33, East Jefferson 28
Cascade 8 2 13 10— 33
EJ 0 9 6 13— 28
Cascade Christian (33) — Phair 13, Linkem 9, Scott 5, Gould 4, Walling 2.
East Jefferson (28) — Vandenberg 12, Botkin 11, Harris 4, Asbell 1, O’Hara, Liske, Vailolo.
Boys Basketball Port Angeles 60, Olympic 27
BREMERTON — The Roughriders dominated defensively to pick up a win on the road Thursday.
“Our main focus here on out is to defend and rebound,” coach Kasey Ulin said. “That’s how we are going to win games. And our guys were unbelievable defensively, it was their best effort in the last couple of weeks.”
Port Angeles held Olympic to just 20-percent shooting (9 for 45) and forced 28 Trojan turnovers.
It wasn’t all gravy, however, as the Riders had to shake off a slow start.
“They were up 12-10 in the second quarter, but we clamped down and went on a 38-4 run,” Ulin said.
“Parker Nickerson had 15 in the third and Isaiah Shamp had 12. They took over the game for us.”
Nickerson finished with 21 and Shamp added 18.
Ezra Townsend started and posted five points and seven rebounds.
Gus Halberg didn’t score but Ulin praised him for his control of the offense and decision making.
Port Angeles (9-1, 11-5) hosts undefeated Renton (6-0, 12-0) today at 3 p.m.
Port Angeles 60, Olympic 27
Port Angeles 9 15 22 14— 60
Olympic 8 6 6 7— 27
Port Angeles (60) — Nickerson 21, Shamp 18, Townsend 5, Dunning 4, B. Hoch 3, Martinez 3, K. Hoch 2, Long 2, Surina 2.
Forks 50, South Bend 46
SOUTH BEND — Aidan Salazar went off from 3-point land to lift the Spartans to a road win. Salazar was 7 of 8 on 3s and scored 22 points.
“He did a great job keeping us in a hard-fought game,” coach Keith Weekes said. “Every time we needed a little boost he came up with a big shot.”
Forks (4-4, 5-8) hosts Raymond on Wednesday.
Bowling PA second at league
SILVERDALE — The first-year Roughriders qualified for the West Central District III Tournament by finishing second behind defending league champ Klahowya.
“The girls saved their best bowling of the year for the tournament and are peaking at just the right time,” coach Rebecca Gundersen said.
Port Angeles bowled its season high game of 704 and also had its high Baker team score of 161 for the season.
Abby Robinson earned fifth place individually, bowling a three-game score of 426.
“Clutch bowling by Zoey Van Gordon and Paige Pangaro helped elevate the Riders strong finish,” Gundersen said.
Van Gordon (sixth) and Paige (eighth) both bowled a fantastic tournament, considerably above their season averages with three game scores of 421 and 409, respectively.
The district tournament is set for Tacoma’s Paradise Lanes on Jan. 28.
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Sports reporter/columnist Michael Carman can be contacted at mcarman@peninsuladailynews.com.
Emily Matthiessen /Olympic Peninsula News Group Sequim’s Jolene Vaara goes to the basket for two of her team-high 20 points in a 64-49 Olympic League win over North Kitsap on Thursday.
