PORT TOWNSEND — Neah Bay overcame an uncharacteristic 26 turnovers by forcing 34 Port Townsend turnovers in a 68-40 blowout win in the girls finale of the Crush in the Slush tournament at Port Townsend High School.
Neah Bay (4-0) also dealt with foul trouble all game, as its aggressive press was whistled for multiple violations.
Port Townsend scored 17 of their 40 points from the free-throw line in the game.
“We’re always trying to get ready for the postseason and we’ve noticed they call games a little looser and it’s more physical at districts and at state,” Red Devils coach Tony McCaulley said after Saturday’s game.
“We didn’t shoot so hot tonight, and we should do a better job of being in the right position [on defense] so we don’t reach [and get whistled for fouls.]”
The 40 points was the Redhawks’ (0-1, 0-8) highest offensive output of the season.
Neah Bay led 18-5 after one period and the lead grew to 33-9 before halftime after three consecutive 3-point baskets, the first from Star Haltunnen and the last two from freshman Jessica Greene.
Greene ended up with nine points, all on 3-pointers.
Faye Chartraw had another high-scoring game for the Red Devils, hitting for 26 in Saturday’s game after putting up 28 in a win against Chimacum on Friday.
Kaela Tyler added 13 for Neah Bay.
Kassie Olin led Port Townsend with 15 points, Frances Sheldon-O’Neal had nine and Kaitlyn Meek added six.
The Redhawks (0-1, 0-8) visit Olympic league foe Coupeville (1-0, 5-3) on Tuesday, Jan. 6.
The Red Devils (4-0) host Sequim (4-5) on Wednesday, Jan. 7.
Neah Bay 68, Port Townsend 40
Neah Bay 18 18 11 21— 68
Port Townsend 5 11 12 12— 40
Individual scoring
Neah Bay (80)
Chartraw 26, Tyler 13, J. Greene 9, Johnson 7, Doherty 5, McCaulley 3, Haltunnen 3, Hailey Greene 2.
Port Townsend (41)
Olin 15, Sheldon-O’Neal 9, Meek 6, Carson 4, Snyder 3, Neilsen 3.
Squalicum 62, Chimacum 27
PORT TOWNSEND — The Cowboys couldn’t handle full-court pressure from the Storm, committing 17 first-half turnovers, and trailing 28-9 at halftime.
Chimacum also picked up multiple fouls and Squalicum hit for 16 of those 28 first-half points from the free-throw line.
Foul trouble forced the Cowboys into a shorter lineup in the second half and the Storm took advantage, with leading scorer Sydney Arndorfer hitting for seven of her 16 points in the third quarter and Chalae Wolters adding eight of her nine points in the period, many coming on dribble drives to the rim for layups.
Kiersten Snyder led Chimacum with 11 points and Nicole Cerna chipped in with six.
The Cowboys (2-5) host Kingston (5-1) on Tuesday, Jan. 6.
Squalicum 62, Chimacum 27
Squalicum 13 15 23 11— 62
Chimacum 3 6 10 8— 27
Individual scoring
Squalicum (62)
Arndorfer 16, Wolters 9, Grimstead 5, Hulbert 5, Linville 5, Kohr 4, Jorgenson 4, Gossage 4, Molnar 4, Meza 3, Williams 3.
Chimacum (27)
Snyder 11, Cerna 6, S. Nisbet 5, M. Nisbet 4, Richey 1.
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Sports reporter Michael Carman can be contacted at 360-452-2345, ext. 5250 or at mcarman@peninsualdailynews.com.
