TACOMA — Port Angeles clawed back from a 20-point first-half deficit in its Class 2A West Central District boys basketball tournament opener, only to have White River’s Alex Wallen knock down a layup with .02 seconds left to lift the Hornets to a 61-59 win over the Roughriders.
The loss sends Port Angeles (11-9) into the consolation bracket and a loser-out matchup at Wilson High School at 7:45 p.m. with the loser of Friday’s game between North Kitsap (17-3) and Fife (13-10).
With the score tied at 59, the Riders had possession with 35 seconds left and milked the clock, eventually getting the ball to Luke Angevine. Angevine drove to the hoop and was whistled for an offensive foul with 7 seconds to play.
White River took advantage, getting the ball inside to Alex Whalen, who scored his team-high 23rd points just before the buzzer.
“Obviously, it’s a tough loss, any loss is at this point of the season,” Port Angeles coach Kasey Ulin said.
“But it doesn’t change too much for us. We will play Tuesday, and I imagine we will play Fife.
“If we can play well for four quarters I think we will advance. The question now is how do we respond to this loss. If we can figure out how to get off to a better start we can have a chance to play for a spot in the state tournament, the regional round. And I’m fully confident we can get there.”
Ulin said his team started slow against a sharp White River squad, similar to how the Riders opened in their season finale — an 18-point loss to Kingston.
“Our intensity was low and we were kind of on our heels,” Ulin said.
Ulin said Port Angeles trailed 36-18 at halftime.
“We had a very effective halftime talk,” Ulin said.
“Challenges were issued and the kids responded,” Ulin said.
“Our confidence was great, our passing and movement was great and we started to knock down some shots.”
The Riders were boosted by some sharp shooting by senior Grayson Peet and sophomore Kyle Benedict.
“Grayson Peet had four 3s in the third quarter and Kyle Benedict had four 3s in the fourth quarter,” Ulin said.
Benedict finished with a team-high 23 points.
“He was huge, he was phenomenal,” Ulin said of Benedict. “He was active defensively, and made huge plays when we needed it. He made two or three plays that tied the game or gave us the lead in the fourth quarter.
“It was Kyle’s first playoff game and he answered the call.”
Peet added 16.
“It was awesome, he had a different look to him the second half,” Ulin said. “Once he hit a couple of those 3s our energy picked up, we started talking more. It was a complete turnaround.
“We were one stop from pulling away but couldn’t quite get there.”
White River 61, Port Angeles 59
Port Angeles 11 7 23 18— 59
White River 14 22 9 16— 61
Port Angeles (59) — Benedict 23, Peet 16, Clark 10, Angevine 8, McGoff 2.
Girls Basketball Puget Sound Adventist 47, Quilcene 45
QUILCENE — The Rangers season came to a close with a heartbreaking 47-45 loss to Puget Sound Adventist Academy in the first round of the SeaTac League Tournament.
“[We] struggled with consistency all season,” Quilcene coach Briana Weller said.
“There were games that it all came together and [we] played like a well-oiled machine, and then there were the games that it all fell apart. Unfortunately, our post season game against PSAA was one of those games.”
Quilcene wrapped its season with an 11-8 record, 6-6 in league play.
Abby Weller recorded a double-double in Wednesday’s game with 11 points and 10 rebounds. She also had two assists and two steals.
Allison Jones scored 18 points, had 5 assists and two steals. Katie Love scored 13 and had eight rebounds. Gina Brown contributed 2 points and 10 rebounds.
“My coaching staff and I continue to challenge these girls to grow their game in the offseason, as that is where the average separate themselves from the elite,” Weller said. “It is my utmost hope that we get a majority of these athletes to buy in to this reality.”
Puget Sound Adv. 47, Quilcene 45
PSAA 6 17 10 14— 47
Quilcene 10 14 12 9— 45
Quilcene (45) — Jones 18, Love 13, Weller 11, Brown 2.
________
Compiled from team reports. Email scores to sports@peninsuladailynews.com or phone 360-417-3525.
