YAKIMA — With only one senior graduating and five returners who averaged between 7.1 and 13.1 points this season all returning for Sequim, the Wolves have a shot at becoming perennial state tournament contenders.
Sequim (17-8) didn’t look afraid in its first trip to the state tournament in 12 years, a 57-47 loss to Port Angeles Wednesday afternoon.
“It was a great game, a fun game,” Wolves coach Linsay Rapelje said.
“I am proud of them for the whole season. They always worked hard.”
Save for a vast stretch of the second quarter in which neither team could score, and a Madison Cooke-led takeover of the final frame by the Roughriders, the Wolves played like veterans in their first game inside the Yakima SunDome.
“In the second quarter we got in foul trouble and Hope [Glasser] has to come out [so we were] only getting partial production,” Sequim assistant coach Sven Wiker said. “That’s the quarter we’d like back, [besides the] fourth.
“They [PA] basically, in the last quarter, said, ‘We’re not going to lose.’ [But] we’re closing the gap on them.”
“Mentally, I think the girls thought they could beat [Port Angeles].”
Sophomore Jayla Julmist was the most impressive player on the court for either team, scoring 19 points, grabbing 19 rebounds and blocking three shots for the Wolves.
“Jayla, this is what she is capable of and more,” Rapelje said.
The Wolves say goodbye to senior guard Bobbi Sparks. Sparks was an energizer for Sequim, particularly in its comeback win at regi0nals over Foster, and again against Port Angeles, scoring, getting fouled and getting to the free-throw line in a good run of play in the third quarter.
Besides Julmist, will return its two leading scorers in Glasser and Kalli Wiker, who each averaged in the low double figures this season.
Jessica Dietzman is a threat for steals and transition layups, Melissa Porter showed toughness and a solid shooting stroke and Abby Schroeder and Riley Pyeatt were other core rotation players for Sequim this season.
And Rapelje, who took over the position in the wake of Larry Brown’s resignation, also is expected to return.
“The team was in need, so I stepped up. Basketball has been a love of my life and this has kind of filled a void I didn’t know I had.”
Michael Dashiell of the Sequim Gazette contributed to this report.
