Photo: 6’10” center Titus Driver of Watersprings High School is seen here putting up a shot against Rockford in the district championship game. Driver will bring much-needed height to the Pirates.
BY OLY ARCHIBALD
PORT ANGELES — In the past two Peninsula Pirates men’s basketball seasons, there was no question the Pirates were undersized. Those days are over, as Pirate head coach Bryce Jacobson went to Eastern Idaho to find 6’10” center Titus Driver. Driver played at 1A Watersprings High School in Idaho Falls, where he led the Warriors to a 22-4 record, a district championship, and a top-six finish at last year’s Idaho state tournament. In his senior year, Driver averaged 14 points per game, 13 rebounds per game, and shot a red-hot 60% from the field.
Off the court, Driver is an accomplished chess player and served as the president of his high school chess club.
He was also active with the Eastern Idaho Down Syndrome Family Connect group and involved in Christian ministries, most recently working in Mexico helping orphans and mothers.
—
In tennis action, the Port Angeles Roughriders dominated Bremerton in a doubleheader, winning 6-1 and 5-2. In the first match, in singles play, Emma Murray won 6-0, 6-0. Audrey Rudd, who has been outstanding this season, won her match 6-0, 7-5. In doubles play, Cayleigh Alward and Abby Riffle earned a 6-1, 6-2 win.
Rylie Medley and Allison Fricker won 6-0, 6-3. Alyssum Larson and Hannah Hairell picked up a 6-2, 6-1 win, and Pyper Alton and Leilah Franich rolled to a 6-1, 6-1 victory.
In the second match, in singles play, Pyper Alton continued her outstanding season by shutting out her opponent 6-0, 6-0. In doubles, Cayleigh Alward and Abby Riffle won 6-4, 7-6 (7-3). Emma Murray and Audrey Rudd dominated 6-0, 6-1. Alyssum Larson and Hannah Hairell cruised 6-1, 6-2, and Jule Getzin and Allison Fricker won a pro set 8-6.
—
In girls fastpitch action, Kingston showed why they were a state tournament team last year, overpowering Sequim 24-5. The Wolves scored two runs in the second inning as hits from Seren McClurken and Mia Kirner, along with a walk by Hannah Giddings, brought home Rilynn Whitehead and Giddings. Sequim added three more runs in the fifth inning as McClurken walked, Rylie Doig and Mia Kirner singled, Giddings singled, and a walk by Mickey Greene brought home McClurken, Greene, and Kirner.
The Wolves travel to North Mason today, with the first pitch scheduled for 4:15 p.m.
Meanwhile, Port Angeles edged past North Mason 6-4. Sophomore shortstop Morgan Politika stayed hot at the plate, collecting three singles. Mariah Traband tripled and scored a run. Ava Anne Sheahan singled, doubled, drove in a run, and scored once. Abby Kimball doubled and scored a run.
Heidi Leitz came on in relief to earn the win.
—
In baseball action today, Olympic travels to Port Angeles and Bainbridge visits Sequim, with both games starting at 4:15 p.m.
—
In soccer, Port Angeles travels to Bainbridge and Sequim heads to North Mason, with both matches kicking off at 7:00 p.m.
—
In golf, Sequim competes at Olympic, while Port Angeles has a big day at North Kitsap. Both matches begin at 3:00 p.m.
—
In tennis, Bainbridge visits Port Angeles and North Mason faces Sequim, with both matches scheduled to start at 4:00 p.m.