PORT ANGELES — The Neah Bay girls basketball team graduated a number of players over the past two years who are now playing college basketball, but the two-time defending 1B state champion showed that it is still a force to reckon with and that a state championship remains the goal.
The Red Devils smothered Port Angeles defensively 43-28 in their season opener, going up two classes for the victory.
Neah Bay coach Cherish Moss said her team still needs to work on its conditioning, but saw a lot of positives in the outcome.
“I loved our ball movement. We have a good group of girls. We’re still trying to figure out our rotations,” Moss said.
Cerise Moss had a huge game, hitting five 3-pointers on 5-for-11 shooting from outside. She finished with 15 points and seven rebounds.
“I feel a little sluggish,” she said. “We need more conditioning.”
Cerise Moss said the team is still thinking state championship despite graduating stars such as Ezrah Ray, Allie Greene, Amber Swan and Ryana Moss, among others. Several of these women are now playing college basketball. She said she isn’t putting too much on herself to lead the team.
“We’re all carrying the burden. This is going to be a team effort this year,” she said.
Angel Halttunen scored 10 for the Red Devils, while Wiinuk Martin had six points and nine rebounds.
One area in which the Red Devils dominated was offensive rebounds, with 18 offensive boards to Port Angeles’ five. Neah Bay got off 49 shots to Port Angeles’ 34. The Red Devils also forced 24 turnovers while committing just 16.
The Riders were led by Lindsay Smith’s 11 points and Teanna Clark’s eight. Sariah Doherty had a good game with seven.
“I thought we defended pretty well. We just couldn’t convert on offense,” said Port Angeles coach Michael Poindexter. “We had trouble dealing with their physicality.”
As a testament to the physical play, several Riders girls walked out of the locker room wearing ice packs.
Poindexter said he did like the team’s fight and attitude compared to a Friday night one-point loss to North Mason, another defensive low-scoring affair.
“I liked our mental, emotional approach tonight. It was a huge improvement from the previous night. We did a better job of being the team we want to be,” he said.
Port Angeles (0-1, 1-2) next hosts Bainbridge (1-0, 1-2) at 7 p.m. Tuesday. Neah Bay (1-0) next hosts Crosspoint at 7 p.m. Friday.
Neah Bay 43, Port Angeles 28
NB 9 10 12 12 — 43
PA 9 4 8 7 — 28
Neah Bay (43) — Cerise Moss 15, A. Halttunen 10, Martin 6, Greene 5, D. Halttunen 5, Caylee Moss 2.
Port Angeles (28) — Lindsay Smith 11, Clark 8, Doherty 7, Stevens 2.
