NEAH BAY — Neah Bay built a big lead entering the fourth quarter but had to sweat out the final moments of its 56-53 boys basketball victory over Forks on Thursday.
The Red Devils overcame a solid shooting night from Forks (20-for-43 overall, 6-for-13 on 3-pointers) in beating the Spartans (2-0, 11-2) for the second time this season. Neah Bay (8-1) beat Forks 68-60 on the road on Dec. 18.
“It turned out just as we expected it, with two good teams battling to the end, helping each other to become better,” Red Devils coach Stan Claplanhoo said.
“Our boys’ press, defense and quick transition-style basketball were key in the final outcome of the game. We didn’t shoot the ball as well as we normally do, but we made up for it with effort and unselfish play.”
“We had a 17-point lead at the end of the third, but Forks’ boys fought back to make it close. We’ve had a lot of close games this year with tough Class 2B teams that are really preparing us for postseason play, and our boys are getting better each game.”
Tyler Swan had 17 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and three steals for the Red Devils. Makyah Chambers swiped seven steals and had 12 points for Neah Bay.
Titus Rowley led Forks with 16 points.
The Red Devils visit Tulalip Heritage today while Forks heads to Concrete.
Neah Bay 56, Forks 53
Forks 11 13 8 21— 56
Neah Bay 12 15 22 7— 53
Forks (53) — Rowley 16, Hernandez- Stansbury 10, Lausche 10, Davila 6, Olson 5, Foster 3, Ramos 3.
Neah Bay (56) — Swan 17, Chambers 12, Jimmicum 9, M. Greene 8, Wimberly 5, Cumming 2, Woodruff 2, Sawyer 1, Barton.
Bowling Klahowa beats PA
PORT ANGELES — Defending Olympic League champion and unbeaten Klahowya upended the Roughriders 6.5 to 0.5 at Laurel Lanes on Thursday.
Zoey Van Gordon continued to lead the Riders with a two-game score of 363, including a personal-best single-game score of 208. Also pacing Port Angeles was freshman Lucy Townsend with scores of 133 and 143.
“Lucy puts in a lot of extra time and it is really paying off,” coach Becky Gundersen said.
Although the Riders lost, they avoided being shut out by tying the Eagles in the first Baker game, which earned them half a point.
In addition to Van Gordon and Townsend, Kenadie Ring, Leilah Franich and Jule Getzin helped the Riders in the Baker games.
Port Angeles travels to Olympic next Tuesday.
Peninsula Daily News
