POULSBO — Port Angeles went back-and-forth with North Kitsap all game long before some stumbles down the stretch in a 64-56 Olympic League boys basketball loss Tuesday.
“That was a fantastic high school basketball game,” coach Kasey Ulin said. “Every possession was intense. The kids were playing really hard on both sides. North Kitsap has a 48-game home winning streak and you knew they were going to respond, and they did.”
Down 25-20 at halftime, Roughriders junior Parker Nickerson opened the third quarter in a major way.
Nickerson drained three consecutive 3-point baskets in the first 1:19 of the second half as the Riders went up 29-25. Port Angeles’ run continued with a pair of Nickerson free throws and a steal and runout layin by 6-foot-5 Tyler Hunter to put the Riders up 33-27 and force a Vikings’ timeout.
“He was phenomenal,” Ulin said of Nickerson.
Nickerson scored 17 of his game-high 25 points in the third quarter and the contest was tied at 44-all heading to the final quarter.
Hunter drained a 3 to boost Port Angeles to a 48-44 lead inside the opening minute, part of his 24-point game.
“He had 24 points and 13 rebounds, and that was the best high school game he’s had,” Ulin said. “He scored our first 10 points of the game. It was great to see him raise his game and his level of focus against a tough opponent.”
But North Kitsap wouldn’t go away and the Vikings chipped away and eventually took the lead through takeaways.
“Fourth quarter was back-and-forth with five lead changes and a tie,” Ulin said. “Unfortunately, we were a player or two short in the last minute.
“We made too many turnovers to win against a top-10 team. We had 19 turnovers, 12 in the first half, so that’s something we have to work on, something we have to address.”
Port Angeles also dealt with foul trouble inside with Isaiah Shamp fouling out late and Hunter and Nickerson also playing with fouls.
“A lot of the 50/50 calls we didn’t get,” Ulin said. “We have to respond better, have to respond with the next best action. Our fight and energy were great, just need a little bit more focus and understanding.
Port Angeles (4-1, 6-4) looks to right the ship at home tonight against Kingston.
North Kitsap 64, Port Angeles 56
PA 12 8 22 14— 56
North 12 13 17 22— 64
Port Angeles (56) — Nickerson 25, Hunter 24, Albaugh 5, Shamp 2.
Sequim 70, Kingston 56
SEQUIM — Zach Thompson led all scorers with 19 points as the Wolves held off the Buccaneers down the stretch in an Olympic League win Tuesday.
Thompson hit 5 of 6 from the free-throw line in the fourth quarter.
“Zach is our leader,” coach Craig Brooks said. “He had 19 points, a lot of rebounds and guarded their best player.”
Isaiah Moore added 14 points.
Senior Vince Carrisoza knocked down 3 of 4 freebies in the final frame on his way to 12 points.
“Isaiah Moore played great as well,” Brooks said. “And Vince Carrisoza has (scored) 37 points in our last two games combined.”
Sequim (2-3, 4-6) visits Olympic (3-2, 4-3) tonight.
Sequim 70, Kingston 56
Kingston 13 17 13 13 — 56
Sequim 18 15 19 18 — 70
Sequim (70) — Thompson 19, Moore 14, Carrisoza 12, Grider 6, Wiker 6, Green 5, Judd 4, Smithson 2, Little 2.
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Sports reporter/columnist Michael Carman can be contacted at mcarman@peninsuladailynews.com.
