With action returning to the hardwood for South Sound Conference play for the first time in 2023, the Yelm boys basketball team picked up its first win of the new year, while the Yelm girls continue to search for their first victory of the season.
The boys basketball team played their first matchup of the year on the road against the current third place team in the SSC, North Thurston. As of Tuesday, Jan. 10, North Thurston sported a SSC record of 5-1, and an overall record of 9-3, according to sscathletics.org.
North Thurston showed why they are in the top three in the South Sound Conference standings as they defeated the Tornados 63-37. The Rams were just one game behind Timberline, as the Blazers sported a perfect 6-0 SSC record.
The Tornados next game of the season on Friday, Jan. 6, was a home matchup against the Central Kitsap Cougars, who sat in seventh place in the SSC, with a 1-5 conference record.
The Tornados offense was able to find a groove and managed to run away with a 63-60 victory. Senior Trevontay Smith finished the game with 29 points, six assists and four steals.
Then on Saturday, Jan. 7, the Tornados faced Lakes High School in a non-conference matchup. The Tornados kept the matchup within reach, but Lakes ultimately defeated Yelm 52-47.
Returning to SSC action on Monday, Jan. 9, the Tornados traveled to Timberline High School and took on the Blazers.
Timberline’s superstar senior Brooklyn Hicks, who is committed to UNLV, scored 30 points in the contest on 48% shooting. Hicks nearly had a triple-double, as he finished the contest with 11 rebounds and eight assists. Hicks and junior Darrel Gipson combined for 50 points, leading Timberline to victory over Yelm, 79-54.
The boys, who sat at 3-7, were set to host River Ridge High School on Wednesday, Jan. 11, before traveling to Gig Harbor on Friday, Jan. 13.
The Yelm girls team continue to search for their first win of the season.
In their first game of the new year, the Tornados hosted the Lady Rams, who currently sport a 5-1 record in the SSC, and a 9-2 record overall.
Yelm was not able to get momentum going and North Thurston capitalized on every opportunity they had. In the end, the Rams defeated the Tornados 57-15.
In their second and final matchup of the week, the Lady Tornados traveled to Central Kitsap and took on the Cougars, who were 2-4 in the SSC and 3-6 overall.
The Tornados showed more grit than they did against the Rams, but found themselves losing 45-26, dropping to 0-6.
The girls team was set to play River Ridge on Wednesday, Jan. 11 for a SSC matchup with the Hawks. Then on Friday, Jan. 13, Yelm will return home to host the Gig Harbor Tides in another SSC matchup.
