NEAH BAY — Neah Bay’s pregame focus translated into in-game domination as the Red Devils hounded Port Angeles into poor shot selection and controlled the glass in a 60-27 nonleague girls basketball win over Port Angeles on Tuesday.
“Our focus was on defense and boxing out on our rebounds,” Red Devils coach Cherish Moss said. “First half, I think we got all of the offensive rebounds and most of the defensive rebounds. The ball wouldn’t even bounce, we were getting good, sealed box outs.
“We were getting rebounds [in previous games], but we weren’t all boxing out, and that will hurt us against teams that are more aggressive, so we need to keep working on that.”
Moss also thought her team’s effort showed defensively.
“Our defense was just outstanding,” Moss said. “I think we made the shot clock go off [on Port Angeles] about five or six times. In the half-court, we played good on-ball and off-ball defense, we would stop them from driving or the help was there to double team. We forced them into a lot of shots they didn’t want to take. Everybody was moving with the ball.”
Cerise Moss led the Red Devils in scoring, knocking down 4 of 6 3-point shots, while Ryana Moss added a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds.
“Ryana and Cerise shot really well, and Amber [Swan] controlled the game with really good passes and decision making,” Moss said. “And it was good to see Ezrah [Ray] doing more as she continues to come back from injury.”
Ray had 10 points for Neah Bay (4-1).
Roughriders coach Michael Poindexter said the Red Devils dominated in most aspects of the game.
“We had a very rough start offensively, shooting 1 of 11 from the field in the first quarter,” Poindexter said. “We settled for a lot of outside shots in the first half, going only 1 for 13 for 3-point shots, while not getting to the free-throw line at all.
“In the second half, we did a much better job of attacking the basket. We got to the free throw line 12 times in the half and shot 50 percent on inside shots in our 15-point third quarter, the only quarter we produced much on offense.”
Poindexter said Port Angeles did cause trouble, but Neah Bay overcame its mistakes.
“Our zone defense caused 19 Neah Bay turnovers, but they attacked it patiently as the game wore on and got some good looks late in their possessions,” Poindexter said. “They also did a very nice job picking up second-chance points from offensive rebounds.
“Teanna Clark had a nice all-around game with her five rebounds, four assists and five steals. She exhibited outstanding effort all night long. ”
The Red Devils hosted Sequim late Wednesday night.
Port Angeles (3-0, 5-3) visits Class 4A Issaquah today.
Neah Bay 60, Port Angeles 27
Port Angeles 2 3 14 7— 27
Neah Bay 13 16 20 11— 60
Port Angeles (27) — Clark 8, Le. Smith 6, Li. Smith 4, Rognlien 3, Alward 2, Mason 2, Politika, T. Moses, K. Moses.
Neah Bay (60) — C. Moss 16, R.Moss 14, Ray 10, Martin 8, Hulttunen 5, Greene 4, Swan 2, McGimpsey 1.
Forks 57, Coupeville 20
COUPEVILLE — The Spartans tightened up their efforts after halftime to blow out the Wolves on the road.
“We told them at halftime that we were fortunate to have a 10-point lead,” coach David Hurn said. “Coupeville was working harder than us. We challenged the girls to want it more and came out and Coupeville scored right off the bat, but we went on a 28-0 run to close it out.”
Keira Johnson led Forks with 33 points.
Bailey Johnson sparked the Spartans with nine points coming on three made 3-point baskets, 13 rebounds and six steals.
“Bailey led the charge during the big run with her effort,” Hurn said.
“It all starts on defense for us, and we always control the hustle aspect, and they showed what they can do when we play with full effort.”
Forks 57, Coupeville 20
Forks 18 8 21 9— 57
Coupeville 7 9 2 2— 20
Forks (57) — K. Johnson 33, B. Johnson 9, Gaydeski 4, Dilley 4, Neel 3, Hestand 3.
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Sports reporter/columnist Michael Carman can be contacted at sports@peninsuladailynews.com.
