POULSBO — Port Angeles got back on track in a big way after a loss to Bremerton on Monday, going on the road to knock off North Kitsap 54-42 in an important early season Olympic League 2A Division girls basketball game.
Strong zone defense and nine points from Lauren Lunt helped the Roughriders roll out to a 30-19 halftime lead in Wednesday’s win.
Lunt finished with 11 points.
“North Kitsap struggled in the first half against our zone defenses, but they came out and dominated the third quarter, beating us to loose balls and forcing several turnovers,” Port Angeles coach Michael Poindexter said.
But the Roughriders held fast, led by junior Cheyenne Wheeler.
Wheeler scored 13 of her game-high 18 points in the second half.
“Cheyenne was effective inside for us, both on drives and cuts to the middle, as well as running the floor well on fast breaks,” Poindexter said.
“We settled down and finished strong in the fourth quarter. Cheyenne Wheeler and Natalie Steinman combined for 7 of 9 free throw shooting in the fourth, as North Kitsap began to foul to get back in the game.”
Port Angeles (2-1, 3-2) hosts Port Townsend (2-0, 3-1) for a nonleague game between Olympic League 2A and 1A opponents tonight.
Port Angeles 54, North Kitsap 42
Port Angeles 10 20 11 13— 54
North Kitsap 8 11 15 8— 42
Port Angeles (54) — Cheyenne Wheeler 18, Lauren Lunt 11, Kiana Robideau 6, Nizhoni Wheeler 6, Mikkiah Brady 5, Gracie Long 4, Natalie Steinman 4, Brennan Gray, Aeverie Politika, Kyrsten McGuffey, Devin Edwards.
North Kitsap (42) — Ainsly MacKenzie 13, Ashley Vest 8, Noey Barreith 8, Olivia Selembo 7, Lauren Weins 4, Katie Hughes 2.
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Compiled from team reports. Email scores to sports@peninsuladailynews.com or phone 360-417-3525.
