FORKS — The math is simple for the Neah Bay girls basketball team.
Three-point shots provide more of a return on investment than two-pointers, provided you have players that can hit from outside.
Five Red Devils knocked down 9 of 30 3-point attempts to help Neah Bay roll past an improving Forks 71-34 in nonleague play on Thursday. Tristin Johnson connected on 5 of 12 from outside, including a couple of shots from NBA range, to lead all scorers with 21 points for the Red Devils.
She drained a deep 3 to close the first quarter and give Neah Bay a 17-6 lead.
Gina McCaulley added another quarter-ending 3 late in the second period, to put the Red Devils up 36-17 at halftime.
McCaulley notched 13 for Neah Bay.
Vonte Aguirre worked hard down low for 13 rebounds and seven points for the Red Devils.
Some scrappy buckets inside from the Spartans diminutive point guard Skyler DeMatties, including a double-cluch reverse layup trimmed Forks’ deficit to 38-24 with 5:26 to go in the third quarter.
DeMatties was a highlight for the Spartans, hitting on 7 of 12 shots and all three free throw attempts, for a team-high 17 points.
“They out shot us tonight from the perimeter,” Forks coach Madison Riebe said.
“We didn’t take enough shots to give ourselves a chance against their 3-pointers.”
Forks (0-4, 0-6) visits Eatonville on Monday.
Neah Bay (4-0) is off until a date with Class 2A Bellingham (1-7) at the Crush in the Slush Tournament in Port Townsend on Monday, Dec. 28.
Neah Bay 71, Forks 34
Neah Bay 17 19 21 14— 71
Forks 6 11 13 4— 34
Individual scoring
Neah Bay (71)
Johnson 21, McCaulley 13, Haltunnen 9, Aguirre 7, J. Greene 6, H. Greene 5, Svec 3, Olson 3, .
Forks (34)
DeMatties 17, Leons 8, Goodlance 7, Baar 2.
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Sports reporter Michael Carman can be contacted at 360-452-2345, ext. 5250 or at mcarman@peninsuladailynews.com.
