AUBURN — Despite an energetic defensive performance, Port Angeles couldn’t dial in offensively and were dispatched 47-40 by Renton in the regional round of the Class 2A Girls Basketball State Tournament.
The Roughriders piled up 24 Redhawks turnovers in the contest, while committing 13, but couldn’t capitalize on the extra possessions as Port Angeles shots went long, fell short, dropped in and out of the basket.
“An 18 percent Port Angeles field goal shooting percentage in the first half led to a seven-point deficit at halftime,” coach Michael Poindexter said. “Lexie Smith and Anna Petty combined for 11 of our 12 first-half points. While we played much better offensively in the second half, that margin held up for Renton.
“Our 1-3-1 zone was effective in slowing Renton’s offense down throughout the game and caused 24 turnovers, 11 more than we had. However, we were unable to shoot the ball well enough to take advantage of those extra possessions.”
Twice in the second half the Riders rallied back from double-digit deficits to pull back within five points, but Port Angeles couldn’t close the gap.
Trailing 35-23, the Riders closed the quarter on a 7-0 run.
“Paige Mason got a lay-in in transition, and Anna Petty hit another transition lay-in and converted a free throw on the play as well,” Poindexter said. “Paige closed the scoring for the quarter with a nice move down low, cutting the Redhawk lead to 35-30 at the end of the quarter.”
But Renton, a team with four senior starters, wasn’t shaken and went on an 8-0 run to run the Riders’ deficit up to 43-30.
“We again fought back to get within five at 45-40, but we missed a couple of opportunities inside that could have brought us to within one point and changed the way the end played out,” Poindexter said. “Still down five points under a minute left, we had to foul, and Renton hit two free throws to close the game out.”
Poindexter said his squad’s two seniors played well in their last game in green and white.
“Anna Petty had a strong final game for the Riders with 18 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists and a steal,” Poindexter said.
“Piper Williams also played her last game for us and played with her usual all-out effort.
“Izzy Felton led an outstanding defense in our 1-3-1 zone with five steals, as well as three rebounds.”
Port Angeles (13-11) is expected to return seven underclassmen, including five freshman from this season’s roster.
“I’m grateful for the effort and resilience shown by our young group this year as they faced a very tough schedule,” Poindexter said.
The Riders played the toughest slate of games among Class 2A teams according to the WIAA RPI’s strength of schedule metric.
Renton 47, Port Angeles 40
PA 7 5 18 10 — 40
Ren. 13 6 16 12 — 47
Port Angeles (40) — Petty 18, Lexie Smith 8, Mason 6, Williams 3, Lindsay Smith 3, Felton 2, Clark, Stevens, Moses, Rognlien.
Renton (47) — Crockett 12, Victo 11, Luok 10, Washington 8, Petek 6.
