TACOMA — Sequim’s boys basketball team is heading to state after beating Steilacoom in a winner-to-state, loser-out West Central District game Friday night at Foss High School.
The Wolves (10-14) won 39-36 when the Sentinels (16-7) made a meaningless 3-pointer at the buzzer.
Stellar defense was the difference in the game as the Wolves held Steilacoom to two points in the second quarter and only 10 in the first half.
“Our kids performed the game plan to perfection, and I’m very proud of them,” Sequim coach Greg Glasser said.
The Wolves move on to the Class 2A championships, set for Wednesday through Saturday at Yakima SunDome.
The draw for the tournament will be completed by this afternoon and posted at wiaa.com.
Sequim, the Olympic League’s No. 2 Class 2A team, earned the right to travel to Yakima after beating Nisqually League’s No. 2 Steilacoom in the Sentinels’ backyard.
Senior guard Ary Webb, the top scorer for the Wolves at 17 points per game, led on offense with 13 points in the balanced attack.
John Textor and Clancy Catelli sank 11 points each while Jeremie Oliver added four.
Steilacoom took an 8-5 lead in the first quarter but Sequim turned the tables in the second quarter to emerge with a 18-10 lead at halftime.
The Wolves never trailed after that, leading 31-20 going into the final period. The Sentinels put on a desperate push in the fourth quarter, getting within five points but no closer.
“Our kids did a great job of executing our defensive game plan,” Glasser said.
“And they handled Steilacoom’s pressure well in the fourth quarter.”
The Wolves showed poise in the fourth period with Ary Webb hitting crucial shots down the stretch.
Sequim also was deadly on the free-throw line, making 8-of-9 foul shots in the final period.
The Wolves won despite losing starting point guard Corbin Webb to injury in the first quarter.
Reed Omdal replaced Corbin Webb at point guard and had a strong defensive game.
“Reed was amazing on defense,” Glasser said.
The coach was letting his bigger players handle the ball in the fourth quarter, and 6-foot-4 forward Taylor Thorson did a great job of handling the ball under pressure, according to Glasser.
