FORKS — The Forks boys shook off a winter break layover and got off to a good start in Evergreen League play, handily beating Elma 59-40 in their league opener.
Three different Spartans scored in double figures in Tuesday’s win. Austin Flores led the way with 18 points, while Cort Prose scored 13 and Cole Baysinger 12. Scott Archibald chipped in six points.
Forks hadn’t played a game since beating Rochester on Saturday, Dec. 23 and coach Rich Gooding said it showed.
“It wasn’t the prettiest game we’ve ever played, but coming off the Christmas break, things happen.”
Gooding said Baysinger shot well from outside for his points, while Flores did a good job inside. He also said the boys weren’t happy with how they played, which he liked.
“That’s what I like about this group. They weren’t completely satisfied. They know they need to get better,” Gooding said.
The Spartans (1-0, 9-2) get another full week off as they will only play one game in a period of 17 days, then must play four games in one week. They next play at Hoquiam at 7 p.m. Tuesday.
Forks 59, Elma 40
Elma 10 13 10 7 — 40
Forks 14 19 12 14 — 59
Elma (40) — Aho, Jacobson 4, Johnston 7, Billerback, Vollan 13, Schneider 2, Swint 6, Moore 8.
Forks (59) — Flores 18, Prose 13, Baysinger 12, Archibald 6, Johnson 4, Martin 3.
Girls Basketball Elma 67, Forks 12
FORKS — The Spartan girls have gotten off to a very strong start this season. They learned Tuesday that they still have a ways to go to be at the level of an elite team such as Elma.
The Eagles, which came in to the game 12-0, simply dominated in the Evergreen League opener for both teams. Elma is not only undefeated, it is winning games by an average of 21.5 points a game.
“They came out and punched us in the face,” said coach David Hurn. He said he told the girls it was unacceptable, but as a coach, “I have to make sure something like that won’t happen again.”
The Eagles outscored the Spartans 23-2 in the first quarter and never looked back. Hurn said the Spartans only got one shot in that first quarter because of turnovers.
Chloe Leverington and Kesia Rowley led the Spartans with five points apiece.
Despite the loss, Forks is in the midst of one of their most successful seasons in many years. They came in to the Elma game 8-2 in their preleague schedule (and both of those losses were to a very good Neah Bay team).
Hurn didn’t think the Spartan girls had grown overly content, but said, “hopefully, this game wakes them up.”
Forks (0-1, 8-3) next plays at Ocosta at 3 p.m. Saturday.
Elma 67, Forks 12
Elma 23 20 13 11 — 67
Forks 2 6 2 2 — 12
Forks (12) — Leverington 5, Rowley 5, Baar 2.
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Compiled from team reports. Email scores to sports@peninsuladailynews.com or phone 360-417-3525.
Lonnie Archibald/for Peninsula Daily News Forks’ Kesia Rowley begins a fast break against Elma’s Kali Rambo (34) and Brooke Sutherly (12). Following the play is Spartan Mya Rondeau.
