SPOKANE — One rough stretch in the second quarter doomed a short-handed Clallam Bay girls’ squad, but the Bruins played a much deeper Wellpinit Redskins team even the rest of the way in a 68-57 loss at the Class 1B State Tournament at Spokane Arena.
Wednesday night’s loss ends Clallam Bay’s season with a very respectable 18-7 record, a third-place finish at the Tri-District 1B Tournament, a victory in the state 1B regional round and the school’s first state trip since 2017.
Clallam Bay won two loser-out games just to make it to state, and the Bruins did it with a tiny roster of only eight players.
That small roster was the Achilles’ heel however as Clallam Bay was down to just six players after Patience Swan and Venessa Jimmicum fouled out.
Meanwhile, Wellpinit played 11 players.
Coach Michael Maines said that after Swan had to go to the bench with three fouls, it changed the game.
“It changed what you’re able to do,” Maines said.
Still, Maines said it was a great experience for the Clallam Bay girls, all of whom except senior Rainee Signor, should return next year.
“It was a super experience. We had 18 wins, we ended up ranked No. 9,” Maines said. “And I get everyone back but one senior.
“The girls were happy. They were happy when they left the locker room. They’re already talking about summer [basketball camps],” Maines said.
Hot start
The Bruins got off to a great start against the Redskins getting up 15-7 after the first quarter. Wellpinit came roaring back in the second quarter, going on a 24-4 run over 5½ minutes to jump out to a 31-19 lead. The Redskins ended up scoring 27 points in the second quarter and took a 34-23 lead into the halftime break.
Take away that 5½-minute run and Clallam Bay outscored Wellpinit 53-44 for the rest of the game.
Despite Swan and Jimmicum being in foul trouble much of the second half, the Bruins got off to a good start in the second half to cut an 11-point halftime deficit down to 48-41 late in the third quarter.
Wellpinit built the lead back up to 14 at 55-41 by ending the third quarter on a 7-0 run.
Clallam Bay had one run left in them, getting off to an 8-3 start in the fourth with a clutch 3-pointer by Amber Swan cutting the deficit down to 58-49 with 6 minutes left in the game.
But Patience Swan fouled out shortly after that and Jimmicum fouled out with 2:45 left. Against a game but shorthanded Bruins squad, Wellpinit was able to close the game out.
Amber Swan led Clallam Bay with 22 points, hitting 3 of 7 3-pointers, while Cedar Johnson scored 21, making 3 out of 5 3-pointers. Johnson added 11 rebounds, five steals and three assists. Rainee Signor had seven rebounds, while Jada Clemmons had six.
No. 8 Wellpinit 68, No. 9 Clallam Bay 57
Clallam Bay 15 18 18 16— 57
Wellpinit 7 27 21 13— 68
Clallam Bay (57) — A. Swan 22, Johnson 21, P. Swan 6, Signor 4, Clemmons 2, Jimmicum 2.
Wellpinit (68) — Hill 22, Boyd 16, Anderson 10, A. Seyler 6, M. Seyler 5, Twoteeth 4, Wynecoop 3, Orr 2.
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Sports Editor Pierre LaBossiere can be contacted at 360-417-3525 or plabossiere@peninsuladailynews.com.
