By Oly Archibald
PORT ANGELES — It’s no secret that at Peninsula Pirate home basketball games seating is in high demand. That happens when one of the best NWAC programs plays in the smallest gym in the NWAC. With a price tag of 21 million dollars for a new NWAC gym, that for right now is probably not in sight for the time being! Now, with Pirates women’s basketball coach Allison Crumb signing three local super stars you have to wonder if Pirate basketball tickets might show up on Stubhub.
It was no surprise that 2nd team all-state point guard Hannah Bates of Sequim and all Olympic League stand out Jelissa Julmist signed with the Pirates. Julmist did think about Skagit Valley after Cardinals popular head basketball coach Deb Castle dangled her program in front of Julmist with the opportunity for her to continue her golfing career. With her best basketball buddy Hannah Bates going to Peninsula and wanting to stay close to home, Julmist also signed with the Pirates.
Sequim’s Hannah Bates and Jelissa Julmist
The big surprise came a day later when the Pirates signed the best basketball player on the Olympic Peninsula, in first-team all-state shooting guard Allie Greene. The Greene family had kept their recruiting process close to the vest and never gave an indication where their popular 1000-point Red Devil might go. Greene averaged 17 points per game her senior year leading the Red Devils to their first state championship. Greene shot a sizzling 44% from the 3 point stripe, 45% from the field and 71% from the line.
Neah Bay standout Allie Greene
Greene and point guard Hannah Bates should mesh well. Bates who has a high X and O’s IQ is like having a coach on the floor. Bates averaged 11 points per game, 4 steals, 4 assists and shot 70% from the line.
The 6’0″ Julmist is still raw and it will be fun to watch how much improvement Allison Crumb and her staff can get from Julmist who without question can turn into a solid NWAC power on the low blocks which are very hard to find.
The Pirates have also signed Central Linn, Oregon three point sharpshooter Maya Rowland who averaged 18 points per game in the 2A state tournament and this weekend signed Alaska all-state shooting guard Amy Pilon out of Lathrop High School in Fairbanks.
Amy Pilon out of Lathrop High School in Fairbanks
Central Linn High School’s Maya Rowland
With the strong continued success of the Pirates women’s basketball program and with the singing of the local high school super stars Razor Gator and Vivid seats could also start showing Pirate basketball tickets.