Photo: Former Port Angeles Roughrider Gus Halberg (#11) turned in a strong performance against Green River.
By Oly Archibald
AUBURN — The 2025–26 Peninsula Pirates men’s basketball team was expected to be a major rebuild, with just two active players returning from last year’s roster. And after an 0–3 showing at this week’s Swamp Classic at Green River College, it’s clear this season will be full of on-the-job training.
But the final scores don’t tell the whole story — there were signs of steady improvement in all three games.
In a tight 69–62 loss to Clark College, the Pirates went down to the wire. Paxton Heitsch knocked down four threes and finished with 13 points, while lightning-quick point guard Isaiah Beauchamp added 14.
In the 99–74 loss to Centralia, Beauchamp scored 13, and guard Sam Tekeste also put in 13.
And in a 79–58 loss to a strong Green River team on their home floor, Peninsula actually led most of the first half and trailed by just one at the break, 34–33. Tekeste led the Pirates with 12, and former Port Angeles Roughrider Gus Halberg turned in a solid performance — 27 minutes, 8 points, 3 rebounds, 2 steals, and an assist.
In cross country, former Port Angeles standout Jack Gladfelter has earned NAIA All-American honors for the second straight year at Corban University. Gladfelter finished 11th in the nation, running a 24:39.4 at the NAIA Championships.
Former Roughrider Jack Gladfelter has earned All-American honors for the second straight year.
Port Angeles senior pitcher Cody Williams has signed his letter of intent to play for Skagit Valley College in the NWAC.
Port Angeles pitcher Cody Williams signs his letter of intent to play baseball for the Skagit Valley College Cardinals.
In NWAC basketball today, the Pirate women tip off at Highline College at 4 p.m.
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High school bowling this afternoon has Sequim meeting Port Angeles at Laurel Lanes at 3.
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And West Valley of Spokane claimed the girls 2A state soccer title, beating Columbia River 1–0 — remarkable, as West Valley did not allow a goal all season. Hockinson, which edged Port Angeles 1–0 earlier in the tournament, finished fourth in the state.