Spartans Celebrate!

January 25, 2024 1:30 am
Spartans basketball players take a moment for family and friends to capture the moment with a team group photo …after their victory Friday night. Forks Spartans front row from left: Bailey Johnson, Chloe Gaydeski, Karee Neel, Molly Hampton, and Skye Hestand. Back row from left: Assistant coach Cameron LeDuke, Fynlie Peters, Brynn Daniels, Avery Dilley, Keira Johnson, Head coach David Hurn, Janessa Ramos, Alyna Centeno, and volunteer coach Ron Hurn. Photo Lonnie Archibald
Spartans basketball players take a moment for family and friends to capture the moment with a team group photo …after their victory Friday night. Forks Spartans front row from left: Bailey Johnson, Chloe Gaydeski, Karee Neel, Molly Hampton, and Skye Hestand. Back row from left: Assistant coach Cameron LeDuke, Fynlie Peters, Brynn Daniels, Avery Dilley, Keira Johnson, Head coach David Hurn, Janessa Ramos, Alyna Centeno, and volunteer coach Ron Hurn. Photo Lonnie Archibald

Forks clinches

second straight

Pacific 2B League championship

By Pierre LaBossiere

Olympic Peninsula News Group

The Forks girls basketball team won its second straight Pacific 2B League championship with a big win Friday night over Raymond-South Bend, though it wasn’t an easy win.

The Spartans had to come from behind with a 22-6 third quarter to pull out the 45-41 win over the Ravens, who came in to Friday’s game with a solid 11-6 record.

“We knew it would be a battle. There was a lot on the line,” said coach David Hurn. “There was a lot going on in the gym. We’re really thankful to the community.”

The Spartans clinched the title with a perfect 8-0 record in league (14-3 overall). They are back-to-back Pacific 2B League champions, though this year they will not be sharing the title with anyone. It’s all theirs

Knowing so much was on the line, Hurn said his players “were a little hyped up early” and had trouble making their shots. The Spartans fell behind 21-15 at the half, but started the second half on a 7-0 to take the lead.

“The struggle was real that first half,” he said. “After that 7-0 run, we never looked back.”

Keira Johnson scored 15 points in the third quarter as part of her team-leading 26 points. RSB came back in the fourth with a 14-8 quarter to make it close, but the Spartans were able to hang on.

Forks has a couple of tough nonleague games coming up against No. 1-ranked 1B Neah Bay at 5:45 p.m. Monday and Mount Vernon Christian at 6 p.m. Tuesday. The Spartans still have two Pacific 2B League games versus Ocosta and Chief Leschi.

Forks 45, Raymond-South Bend 41