PORT TOWNSEND — The Chimacum boys basketball team was in trouble when it started the Olympic League 1A season with a 1-2 record. But Coach Jim Eldridge told his Cowboys that they controlled their own destiny and all they needed to do was win.
Win they did. Chimacum held back a late Port Townsend rally for the second time in eight days to beat the Redhawks 43-40 Saturday and claim its second consecutive Olympic League 1A title.
The Cowboys also won the Widge Black Memorial Trophy, awarded to the champion of the basketball version of the Quimper Quarrel.
It was the sixth straight league win for Chimacum (7-2, 9-11).
“We started the league thing with one win and two losses and it looked a little bleak,” Eldridge said.
“I told them we are just getting started, and if we take it one game at a time we can get [the league title]back.”
Eldridge said Saturday’s game with Port Townsend was close the whole way, with the Redhawks taking a fourth-quarter lead just as they had in the Cowboys’ 58-56 win Jan. 29.
“We stalled out a little offensively, and had some turnovers, and they hit a few 3-pointers,” Eldridge said.
“But we figured it out and led by six with about 12 or 13 seconds to go.”
That’s when Port Townsend’s Detrius Kelsall hit a 3 from the corner to cut the Chimacum lead to three, 43-40.
“I don’t know how that went in from that angle,” Eldridge said. “It hit the front iron and bounced back in.”
Eldridge said neither team was in the bonus, so the final seconds were a matter of his team inbounding and securing the basketball.
“They never got a last shot,” Eldridge said.
James Porter scored 13 to lead Chimacum, while teammate Lane Dotson added 10.
Kelsall led Port Townsend with 16 points and Jacob Ralls scored 10.
The Redhawks (7-2, 9-11) will host Seattle Christian (10-9) in a loser-out West Central District contest at 7 p.m. Saturday.
Port Townsend lost 55-50 to Seattle Christian earlier this season.
Chimacum will open district play against a to-be-determined opponent at Sumner High School at 7:45 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 16.
Chimacum 43, Port Townsend 40
Chimacum 8 15 11 9— 43
Port Townsend 7 13 8 12— 40
Individual scoring
Chimacum (43)
Bainbridge 7, Dowling, Porter 13, Golden 2, Koenig 8, Winkley, Torres 3, Dotson 10.
Port Townsend (40)
Dances 6, Ralls 10, Boucher, Sua 3, Kelsall 16, Hill 2, Charlton, Parcher 3.
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Compiled using team reports.
