SEQUIM — A hot-shooting Enumclaw Hornets squad stung Sequim 66-49 in a Class 2A bi-district winner-to-state matchup Wednesday at Rick Kaps Gymnasium.
The Wolves host No. 12 seed North Mason tonight at 6 p.m. in a loser-out contest. The Bulldogs beat Fife 55-38 on Wednesday.
Sequim will need to beat North Mason and beat the winner of another consolation game between Clover Park and North Kitsap in a game Saturday to advance to state.
Against Enumclaw, Sequim struggled from the floor, connecting on 18 of 73 field goal attempts (25 percent) for the game.
The Wolves played without injured senior Dani Herman, the team’s leading rebounder.
“Enumclaw shot the lights out during the first half and won the battle of the boards,” coach Joclin Julmist said.
“We struggled from the field once again, but the girls played hard. We made a run in the second half and cut the lead down to 13 but were never able to get any closer than that.”
Gracie Chartraw led the Wolves with 27 points, hitting 5 of 14 beyond the 3-point line but struggling on two-point shots (7-for-31 overall).
“She has played injured all season and she was sick,” Julmist said. “She played her heart out for us tonight. She’s a special player.”
Senior Jolene Vaara was limited to eight points but swiped eight steals and grabbed six rebounds.
“They tried to take her out of the game by keeping a body on her all night,” Julmist said.
Libby Turella added eight points and nine rebounds for the Wolves.
“Libby had a solid game on both sides,” Julmist said.
Enumclaw 66, Sequim 49
Enumclaw 18 20 11 17 — 66
Sequim 10 7 17 15 — 49
Sequim (49) — Chartraw 27, Vaara 8, Turella 8, Mixon 4, Wagner 2, Heyting, Winter, Brewer.
Boys Basketball
Chief Leschi 73, Forks 52
ROCHESTER — The Spartans pulled within single digits in the third quarter, but the Warriors ousted Forks from the Class 2B Southwest District tournament.
“We knew what they were going to do, but even then, good teams make good shots,” coach Keith Weekes said. “In the end, we gave a good team too many extra chances off of turnovers and offensive rebounds. We’re proud of our guys for never stopping though. Good shooting teams can create separation fast and Chief Leschi was able to go on a few runs. Our guys worked hard, never turned on each other, and tried to do what they could when their chances came.”
Aidan Salazar led Forks with 24 points in his last game as a Spartan. Junior Brody Lausche added 11 points.
“This group was able put forth a tremendous turnaround,” Weekes said. “They doubled their win total (from 2022-23), and we were able to win two district games, which is something only about two or three other Forks boys teams have done in about the last 10 years.
“They showed heart and fight all year, never giving up. We had games we overcame being down and games we lost leads. There was not a single game we gave up in, which is the biggest change from last year’s group. Every player helped make this year possible.”
Chief Leschi 73, Forks 52
Forks 13 6 19 14 — 52
Chief Leschi 17 18 17 21 — 73
Forks (52) — Salazar 24, Lausche 11, Micheau 8, Davis 3, Olson 3, Rowley 2, Terrones 1, Davila, Lohrengel, Gonzales, Foster.
