PORT ANGELES — It’s a done deal, the Peninsula Pirates men’s basketball team is the 2023 NWAC Northern Conference champions after the Pirates beat Whatcom last night 97-60 and Everett upset Edmonds 89-88. That puts the Pirates three games up on Edmonds with two games left. The men will not be the only Pirate team sending an opponent roses this morning, the Olympic Rangers upset Shoreline last night. With the Pirate women beating Whatcom 80-63, the women are now a game up on Shoreline with two games remaining. The Pirates will be big favorites at Edmonds on Saturday and home with Everett next Wednesday night, and are in complete control of winning the women’s Northern Conference Championship.
Last night, the Pirates jumped out to a 40-33 halftime lead. Itua Tuisaula led the Pirates with 24 points and 14 rebounds, Mllie Long hit for 17 points and pulled down 7 rebounds and had 6 steals. Tati Kamae had 11 points and pulled down 13 rebounds. Chasity Selden hit for 10 points. It was the 10th win in a row for the Pirates who are now ranked 3rd, lead the Northern Conference with a 10-2 record and a 18-4 overall record.
The 2nd-ranked Pirate men won their conference championship in a dominating night, blowing out Whatcom 97-60. The Pirates hit a red-hot 53% from the field and shot 39% from the 3-point stripe hitting 11 threes. Roosevelt Williams Jr. led the way with 28 points while pulling down 11 rebounds. Malik Jackson hit for 16 points and pulled down 9 rebounds. Mikey Medlock Jr. had 12 points, Esa Onakpoma had 11 points and 8 rebounds and former Roughrider Gary Johnson hit for 12 points pulled down 5 rebounds and dished out 5 assists.
The Pirates clinch the Northern Conference Championship and have a 25-2 overall record. The Pirates travel to Edmonds on Saturday for 2 and 4 pm tip offs. Both games will be broadcast on Newsradio KONP.