SEQUIM — With a number of key pieces back for this season’s Sequim High girls hoops team, the Wolves are aiming for as much — or more — success on the hardwood under second-year head coach Joclin Julmist.
Sequim had a strong 2021-22 campaign, going 13-1 in Olympic League play and tying Port Angeles for the league title. The Wolves went 2-1 at districts and earned a spot in the state 2A regional round.
Sequim lost three pieces to graduation — Hannah Wagner, Addie Smith and Malory Morey — and a couple of key reserves but returns the core of last year’s squad.
Back are seniors Hannah Bates (point guard) and Jelissa Julmist (post), both named to last season’s all-Olympic League first team.
Julmist led the team with 14.1 points and 9.8 rebounds per game.
Bates, who paced the Wolves with four steals and 3.3 assists per game this past season, is key to keeping the team running, Julmist said.
“She’s been constant for us, a good communicator,” he said. “It’s all the time and dedication to her craft.”
Bates said the Wolves are in line for another strong season.
“I think we’ll do pretty good; we’re comfortable with each other,” she said at a preseason practice.
She said the Wolves need to practice patience and make sure their defense is solid for a successful season.
That, and staying healthy.
“Last year, that killed us,” Bates said.
Jelissa Julmist fractured a leg bone last season, limiting her to 15 of Sequim’s 23 games, but she’s healthy and ready to give the Wolves a tough inside presence, her father/coach noted.
“We’re hoping she stays healthy,” Joclin Julmist said.
Also back is junior forward Jolene Vaara, a second team all-Olympic League player in ’21-’22 who presents matchup problems on both ends of the floor. She was second on the team with 13 points and 3.5 steals per contest in 2021-22.
Speedy junior guard Taryn Johnson, a key contributor on last season’s team, is back. She averaged nearly five points, two steals and two assists per game in 2021-22.
Julmist said the Wolves should be improved with the addition of a healthy guard in Bobbie Mixon, who missed all but six games last campaign with an injury.
“She’s starting to figure it out,” Julmist said.
“We’re really excited for Bobbie,” Bates said.
Returning junior Dannielle Herman adds to SHS’ post game as well, Julmist said.
“She should give us an inside presence,” he said.
Bates said the Wolves have a good leader in the coaching chair.
“[Joclin] is a great coach; he pushes us to be how good we can be,” she said.
Sequim Wolves
• Head coach: Joclin Julmist, second season.
• Last season: 13-1, 19-5 overall. Shared Olympic League title with Port Angeles. Advanced to state regional round.
• Returners: Jolene Vaara (jr., F, 5-10); Jelissa Julmist (sr., P, 5-11); Hannah Bates (sr., G, 5-3); Lauryn Stephens (sr., F, 5-9); Sammie Bacon (sr., P, 5-9); Michaela Green (so., G, 5-3).
• Newcomers: Bobbie Mixon (so., G, 5-7). Mixon made the varsity as a freshman but suffered a season-ending injury early on.
• Outlook: Wolves are reigning co-champs and the team to beat in the Olympic League this season. If Sequim can avoid the injury bug that bit them so hard last season, the Wolves should return to the state tournament and stick around this time.
