YELM — South Kitsap senior guard Nars Martinez scored the Wolves’ final nine points as they held off a late Yelm rally to earn a 45-41 nonleague win Friday.

The Tornados took their first lead, 37-36, since the first quarter when post Watene Robinson scored on a putback with 3:20 minutes left in the game. South later recaptured the lead and held a 40-39 advantage when Martinez, who scored a game-high 19 points, stole the ball and drove for a layup.

Yelm guard Trey Friend, who scored 12 points, then missed a layup on the next position, which forced the Tornados to foul. Martinez converted 3 of 4 free throws during the final 22 seconds to seal the victory for the Wolves (2-0).

“It wasn’t pretty,” South coach John Callaghan said. “We’ve got some work to do.”

One area of emphasis for the Wolves as they prepare for Wednesday’s home opener will be free-throw shooting. The Tornados might not have had a comeback opportunity if South converted its opportunities from the stripe during the first half. The Wolves were in the double bonus barely 30 seconds into the second quarter, but made just 10 of 19 free throws in the first half. South led 22-12 at halftime.

South Kitsap 45, at Yelm 41
South Kitsap 15 7 8 15 — 45
Yelm 8 4 11 18 — 41
South Kitsap–Aaron LaDeaux 2, Ryley Callaghan 3, Tom Simpson 3, Devon Newquist 2, Kellen Traxel 0, Angelo Hazely 9, Nars Martinez 19, James Hyson 2, Josh Osinski 5.
Yelm–Alex Almeida 2, Kevin Collins 0, Jonathan Jones 3, Bryan Miskimens 16, Trey Friend 12, Jacob Swilley 2, Watene Robinson 2, Joe Zawislak 4.