Photo: Lainey Suaava hit for 11 points and pulled down 9 rebounds for the 2024 Northern Conference Champion Peninsula Pirates
PORT ANGELES — It was not easy, but the 4th ranked 12-0 19-2 Peninsula Pirate women held on to beat Skagit Valley 3-9 9-17 for their 15th straight win 60-57. The win clinches the Northern Division championship with the Pirates heading to the NWAC Tournament in Pasco March 8th tip off at Noon against the #4 seed from the Western Conference.
The Pirates, who earlier this season blew out the Cardinals in Mount Vernon, could not put the Cardinals away. The Pirates led 35-34 at the half and took their biggest lead of the game of 13 points with 30 seconds left in the 3rd quarter. Skagit Valley outscored the Pirates 14-7 in the final quarter but could not take the lead.
Ciera Agasiva, play after play, saved the night for the Pirates. Agasiva led the Pirates with 13 points. Freshman Lainey Suaava had an MVP night, in just 14 minutes of play Suaava hit for 11 points and pulled down 9 rebounds. Jelissa Julmist hit for 8 points while pulling down 7 rebounds. Allie Greene had a hot hand, hitting two 3-point shots for a total of 8 points. Lexie Mackey, Talia Marini, Shania Moanunu and Jennilee Donovan all scored 5 points.
The Pirates will host Everett Saturday for their final home game of the season.
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The 9th ranked Pirate men were once again no match for a very talented 10th-ranked Skagit Valley team as the Cardinals dominated the Pirates 86-64. Even though the Cardinals led 49-33 at the half, the Pirates did not quit and actually pulled to within 9 points. However, the hot-shooting Cardinals shot their way to another 20-point lead.
Pirates sophomore guard Javon Ervin was outstanding hitting for 32 points and Ese Onakpoma had 17 points.
The Pirates now have a huge game at home against Everett on Saturday. The Pirates are now in 3rd place with a 7-5 record. They are a game ahead of incoming Everett who is 6-6. A Pirate win will go a long ways in clinching a spot in the NWAC tournament.
Maelyn Benedict and Darcy Ring of the Port Angeles 7th grade AAU team were guest of the Pirates and were interviewed at halftime on the KONP Newsradio Broadcast