Season Opener: Port Angeles Dominates Bainbridge

<span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif">The Roughriders got off to a fast start and never looked back in yesterdays defeat over Bainbridge (71-44). It was fast break after fast break, steal after steal, and Port Angeles constantly found themselves at the free throw line. Port Angeles looks to be starting right where they left off after reaching the playoffs last year. For the Spartans, senior<strong> Forward Olivia Wikstrom</strong> played point guard for most of the matchup helping set up big shots for her teammates. On the defensive side of the ball, Bainbridge looked pretty lack luster, failing to crash the boards as Port Angeles racked up multiple offensive rebounds in the first half. By the second half, Port Angeles continued to contain <strong>Wikstrom</strong> by switching different guards on her as her handles proposed a serious matchup problem.<strong> Forward Emilia Long</strong> of Port Angeles looked amazing all night, furiously driving to the lane and playing lock down defense. The passing game was also on display for Port Angeles as every guard on the floor facilitated the ball extremely well throughout the game. </span> <span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif">On to the Best....</span> [caption id="attachment_19771" align="alignright" width="253"] <span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;font-size: 10pt">              Olivia Wikstrom, Bainbridge 2020</span>[/caption] &nbsp; <span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><strong>MVP:</strong> <strong>Emilia Long (Roughriders) 2021</strong></span> <span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif">Emilia looked encouraged and ready to go from the beginning. Port Angeles went unranked last year and that could change if they keep up the excellent team-play displayed Tuesday night. Emilia was the best player on the court last night and totally controlled the game flow. I'm looking forward to seeing Emilia continuously attack the basket and catch a lot of defenders off guard this season. </span> <span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><strong>Best Defensive Performance: Bailee Larson (Roughriders) 2022</strong></span> <span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif">Bailee was around the ball constantly last night and picked up multiple fast break points off the steal. She also played perfect zone defense when Port Angeles switched to the 2-3. <strong>Emilia Long,</strong> <strong>Bailee Larson</strong>, and <strong>Mikkiah Brady</strong> complemented each other all night while Bailee Larson paved the way on defense. Bailee could be coming into her game this year.</span> <span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><strong>Best Coaching Decision: Coach Poindexter (Roughriders)</strong></span> <span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif">Coach Poindexter did a great job rotating his players on defense and playing an uptempo game on offense. Switching from man to zone all day kept the Spartans off balance throughout the game and limited their best player <strong>Olivia Wikstrom</strong>. Roughriders also packed the box constantly, boxing out and creating second, sometimes third chance opportunities for them on offense. A great game plan put on by Coach Poindexter in Port Angeles's season opener. </span> <span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><strong>Best Intangibles: Olivia Wikstrom (Spartans) 2020</strong></span> <span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif">Olivia Wikstrom is ranked #18 on Prep Girls Hoops 2020 rankings. Olivia can find the hole at will and displayed that in last nights game, constantly breaking from double teams looking for the best shot. Turnovers were a problem for Bainbridge last night but there was a reason why Coach Byers trusted the senior to facilitate the floor. Olivia has a high basketball IQ and led the team in points last night. </span> <strong><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif">Best under-the-radar performance: Caitlin Slattery (Spartans) 2020</span></strong> <span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif">Caitlin Slattery hustled hard all game and shot the ball well for the Spartans. She spotted up on a number of big plays setup by <strong>Olivia Wikstrom</strong> and although she did not knock them all down, she never lost confidence which contributed to the Spartans fight as they tried to rally back. Look for the Spartans to build on this chemistry as the season progresses.</span> &nbsp;