The 2018-19 All-Peninsula Boys Basketball Team:
MVP: Kyle Benedict, sr., Port Angeles (Guard)
— Averaged a team-high 18 points per game along with four steals, four assists and four rebounds to lead Roughriders to Olympic League title. Had several games with more than 30 points and was often tasked with guarding opposition’s most-talented player. “Ultra competitive, played multiple positions, and had one of best performance in the state when he scored 32 points to beat North Kitsap for the second time to earn the No. 1 seed to the West Central District playoffs,” said Port Angeles coach Kasey Ulin.
• Liam Clark, sr., Port Angeles (Center)
— Port Angeles school record-holder for blocks and rebounds. Averaged 11 points per game, nine rebounds and four blocks. Dominating force inside and versatile offensive player for Olympic League champions. Voted All-Olympic League first team by league coaches.
• Seth Johnson, sr., Forks (Guard)
Evergreen League MVP averaged 15.5 points, 6.7 assists, 6.2 rebounds and 2.7 steals per game for the league-champion Spartans. Hit an astounding 61 percent of his two-point shots and was 40 percent from beyond the 3-point line.
• Nate Despain, sr., Sequim (Guard)
All-Olympic League first-team selection averaged 18.4 points per game on 52.3 percent two-point shooting and 43.4 percent 3-point shooting, along with 6.6 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 2.8 steals.
• Sean Bitegeko, sr., Neah Bay (Center)
North Olympic League Defensive MVP was solid offensively as well, averaging 16.5 points and 13 rebounds as Red Devils returned to state tournament after a one-year absence. Picked to play for Class 1B team in Washington Interscholastic Basketball Coaches Association All-State Game. Class 1B Honorable mention all-state pick by The Associated Press.
• Garrett Edwards, sr., Port Angeles (Forward)
Rugged, hard-nosed athlete put up 11 points and six rebounds per game for Olympic League champs.
• Ryan McCoy, sr., Clallam Bay (Forward)
North Olympic League Offensive MVP eclipsed the 1,000-point career scoring mark in his final season in Bruins black and gold.
• Noa Montoya, jr., Port Townsend (Forward)
All-Olympic League 1A first-team selection put up a stat line of 16.2 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.9 steals per game.
• Cort Prose, sr., Forks (Forward)
All-Evergreen League first-team pick put up 14.1 points per game and 4.6 rebounds.
• Braton Armas, sr., Forks (Center)
Overlooked on All-Evergreen League first-team, second-teamer hit for 11.3 points, eight rebounds and two assists per game for league champion Spartans.
• Keith Johnson Jr., sr. Neah Bay (Guard)
Point guard averaged 13.4 points per game and 5.2 assists per game in helping Red Devils return to state tournament.
• Cameron Moore, sr., Neah Bay (Forward)
Returned to team after a year away and contributed 14.6 points, 5.8 boards and 3.2 assists for state-bound Red Devils.
• Gabe Long, sr., Port Angeles (Guard)
Super sub did a little bit of everything off the bench to help the Roughriders win.
• Eric Emery, jr., Crescent (Guard)
All-North Olympic League pick posted 12.3 points, five rebounds and two assists per game in leading Loggers to first playoff appearance in a decade.
• Co-Coaches of the Year:
Good friends Kasey Ulin (Port Angeles) and Rick Gooding (Forks) each won their first league titles this season with Ulin’s Roughriders claiming the Olympic League 2A Division and Gooding’s Spartans taking the Evergreen League crown.
Honorable Mention
Nico Winegar, senior, Port Townsend; Joseph Reaume, senior, Forks; Payton Schmidt, senior, Port Angeles; Issac Purser, senior, Chimacum; Jayden Watkins, senior, Port Townsend; Crescent; Gary Johnson, junior, Port Angeles; Anton Kathol, junior, Port Angeles; Trey Baysinger, sophomore, Forks; Tony Flores, sophomore, Forks.
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Sports reporter Michael Carman can be contacted at 360-417-3525 or mcarman@peninsuladailynews.com.
