CLALLAM BAY — There’s more work left, but the Neah Bay girls basketball team took a big step toward clinching the North Olympic League championship with a 63-51 come-from-behind win over rival Clallam Bay.
The Red Devils (4-0, 10-3) trailed the Bruins 34-25 at halftime but clawed back in the third quarter and took a slim 47-46 lead into the final period.
Vonte Aguirre scored nine of her game-high 22 points in the third quarter for Neah Bay. Aguirre shot 9 of 13 from the floor for the game and added 12 rebounds, six on the offensive glass.
Neah Bay outscored Clallam Bay 16-5 in the final frame to pull away.
Tristin Johnson took over for the Red Devils in the fourth period, scoring nine points of her 19 points, including hitting 5 of 6 free throws. Johnson also blocked three shots and made three steals.
Cei’J Gagnon hit for 11 points with seven rebounds and three blocked shots for the winners and Cheyanna Svec had seven points.
Miriam Wonderly led Clallam Bay (2-2, 9-4) with 14 points, while Molly McCoy added 12 and Mariah LaChester had 11.
The Bruins visit Chief Kitsap Academy tonight.
Neah Bay will visit Crescent tonight.
Neah Bay 63, Clallam Bay 51
Neah Bay 13 12 22 16— 63
Clallam Bay 12 22 12 5— 51
Neah Bay (63) — Aguirre 22, Johnson 19, Gagnon 11, Svec 7, McCaulley 4, Haltunnen, Winck.
Clallam Bay (51) — Wonderly 14, McCoy 12, LaChester 11, Olson 8, Signor 3, Raines 2, Abe 1.
Rainier Christian 60, Quilcene 43
QUILCENE — Rangers coach Briana Weller said the Rangers contained the Mustangs’ big post player, but struggled to shut down the outside shooting of their guards Emily Reynolds and Mercy Nelson in a SeaTac League loss.
“The Mustangs 1-2-2 half court trapping defense also created a high volume of turnovers from our guards,” Weller said.
“Anytime you give your opponent an extra 27 possessions, you are not setting yourself up for success.”
Weller said the team has been working to improve at handling pressure on the ball, “but it has been a struggle.”
“The girls have to take a positive approach and utilize the advantage of on-ball trap situations versus thinking of it as a nuisance,” she said.
“We have the X’s and O’s for dealing with these situations, we just have to execute.”
Allison Jones led the Rangers with 14 points, three assists and three steals. Katie Love contributed 12 points, eight rebounds and a pair of assists and steals.
Weller said Alexis Gray worked hard in the second half of the game and added eight points, six rebounds and an assist.
Abby Weller scored seven points and gathered six rebounds, an assist and two blocked shots.
Coach Weller hopes to have more players back in action from illness as Quilcene (3-4, 8-6) hosts Christian Faith (1-9, 1-9) tonight.
Rainier Christian 60, Quilcene 43
Rainier Chr. 18 12 17 13— 60
Quilcene 6 13 12 12— 43
Quilcene (43) — Jones 14, Love 12, Gray 8, Weller 7, Brown 2.
Boys Basketball Neah Bay 77, Clallam Bay 39
NEAH BAY — The Red Devils’ depth and talent proved too much for the short-handed Bruins to handle.
Five Neah Bay players scored in double figures in Wednesday’s win over its rival, led by Cole Svec’s 14 points.
Kenrick Doherty Jr. added 11 points, and Keith Johnson, Zach Dulik and Rweha Munyagi all hit for 10 points.
Billy Parkin just missed being the sixth in double figures with nine points.
Meanwhile, Clallam Bay’s six-man roster was reduced to five with Michael Maines on the bench.
Ryan McCoy led the Bruins with 17 points and Caiton Smith scored 14.
Neah Bay (4-0, 10-3) visits Crescent tonight.
Clallam Bay (0-4, 1-8) travels to Chief Kitsap tonight.
Neah Bay 77, Clallam Bay 39
Neah Bay 28 12 25 12— 77
Clallam Bay 11 12 7 9— 39
Neah Bay (77) — Svec 14, Doherty 11, Munyagi 10, Dulik 10, Johnson 10, Parkin 9, Moore 5, S. Bitegeko 4, A. Bitegeko 4, Buzzell, Greene III.
Clallam Bay (39) — McCoy 17, Smith 14, Signor 5, Tinoco 3.
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Compiled from team reports. Email scores to sports@peninsuladailynews.com or phone 360-417-3525.
