NEAH BAY — The Port Angeles boys basketball team fended off a furious comeback attempt by Neah Bay, which came in to Monday’s game as the No. 2-ranked 1B team in the state, to hold on for a 53-45 win.
Neah Bay came back from 20 points down in the second half to get within one point in the fourth quarter. It was nearly another heartbreaking loss for the Roughriders, who lost one game this year on a buzzer beater, lost another in overtime after a buzzer-beating 3-pointer tied the game, and lost a third game by one possession.
“It was great to pull out a close win like that. I’m extremely proud of how resilient these kids are,” said Port Angeles coach Kasey Ulin.
The Red Devils beat Port Angeles last year as the Roughriders were a playoff-qualifying team at three classifications higher than Neah Bay. The Red Devils were ranked No. 2 in the initial state Ratings Percentage Index ratings among 1B schools. The Monday loss dropped Neah Bay down to No. 8. Port Angeles moved up a few slots to No. 28 among 2A schools.
“Neah Bay is one of the toughest places to play in the state,” Ulin said. Despite this, Ulin also said, “Neah Bay is one of my favorite games of the year.” He said he loves the atmosphere in their gym and the support of the community when Port Angeles comes to visit.
The Riders got off to a good start with a 22-point second quarter, getting way up on Neah Bay at 34-19 at the half. This was in contrast to a rough game against Bremerton on Friday in which the Riders fell behind 23-0 before controlling the last three quarters of the game.
The Riders built up their lead to 44-24, but the Red Devils roared all the way back to within one. Ulin said Blake Sohlberg hit a clutch 3-pointer and followed up with a pair of free throws to open the lead back up to six.
Gus Halberg led the Riders with three 3-pointers and 16 points, while Matthew Miller had 13 points, Sohlberg seven and Brock Hope six.
For Neah Bay, Makyah Chambers led the team with 18 points, while Seactis Woodruff had 10 points and Jodell Wimberly seven.
Port Angeles managed to hold Neah Bay to 1-for-21 shooting from 3-point range.
The Riders (1-5, 5-7) played at Kingston Tuesday after press deadline and then travel to Belfair to play North Mason (2-4, 5-6) at 6:30 p.m. Friday in a couple of games Port Angeles must win to stay alive for the postseason.
Neah Bay (8-3) plays at Chief Kitsap at 5:45 p.m. Wednesday.
Port Angeles 53, Neah Bay 45
PA 12 22 10 9 — 53
NB 10 9 9 17 — 45
Neah Bay (45) — Chambers 18, Woodruff 10, Wimberly 7, Cumming 6, Sawyer 2, Jimmicum 2.
Port Angeles (53) — Halberg 16, Miller 13, Sohlberg 7, Hope 6, Flores 5, Hoch 4, Angevine 2.
