By Oly Archibald
SHORELINE — Local basketball fans had plenty to cheer about last night as area teams went a perfect 3–0.
The headline win came from the Peninsula College Pirate men, who pulled out a thrilling 84–82 overtime victory over a solid 6–8 Shoreline squad on the Dolphins’ home floor.
It was a complete team effort, with several Pirates stepping up when it mattered most. Patrick O’Dingo was relentless, willing the Pirates to the win with a game-high 30 points. O’Dingo attacked the paint all night, scoring at will, and was also sharp from the perimeter, knocking down three three-pointers.
Peninsula guard Patrick O’Dingo, from Perth, Australia, scored 30 points in the Pirates’ 84–82 overtime win over Shoreline.
O’Dingo’s sidekick Sam Tekeste was just as effective, repeatedly driving the lane for layups. Tekeste finished with 19 points.
Power forward Parker Lambert added 14 points and pulled down five rebounds.
Paxton Heitsch turned in his best performance as a Pirate, scoring eight points off the low block on offensive boards while grabbing 11 rebounds, many of them at key moments.
Former Roughrider Gus Halberg logged 18 minutes, scoring five points with two assists and a steal.
Cinco McNeal chipped in four points, three rebounds, two assists, and a steal.
The Pirates led by nine at halftime and made several big defensive stops late to seal what could be a season-changing win.
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There was no doubt in the women’s game, as the 9–4 Pirate women cruised past 0–15 Shoreline, rolling to a 101–45 win over the Dolphins.
Head coach Alison Crumb emptied the bench, giving everyone bonus minutes. Alecsis Smith and Ryana Moss were held out for minor medical reasons.
The spark came from 5-foot-2 guard Veniza Jackson, who stole the show with a career-high 18 points.
Makena Patrick added 19 points and eight rebounds, while Aspen Fraser had her biggest game as a Pirate, leading the team with 22 points and 14 rebounds.
Marly Myers scored 12 points, Carliese O’Brien and Kimberlee Brown each added nine, Hayley Ostrander scored eight, and Malia Garcia finished with four.
Pirates 5-foot-2 guard Veniza Jackson poured in a career-high 18 points against Shoreline.
In high school action, the Port Angeles girls (6–5) earned a big comeback win on the road, knocking off 6–5 Bainbridge 51–36.
The Roughriders now have sole possession of first place in the Olympic League and are expected to be double-digit favorites the rest of the way in league play.
Port Angeles trailed 24–12 at halftime but dominated the second half, outscoring the Spartans 37–12.
Lindsay Smith led the way with 14 points. Sophomore Sariah Doherty turned in her best game as a Roughrider, scoring 13 points. Teanna Clark added 11, Becca Manson scored six, Morgan Politika finished with five, and sophomore Storey Schmidt added two.
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In the pool, Port Angeles swim coach Sally Cole has another state-contending team as the Roughriders drowned Olympic 136–46, winning 10 of 12 events.
The big highlight was freshman Adam Kaminski, who qualified for state in the 100 backstroke. Kaminski also won the 50 freestyle.
Miles Van Denburg won the 200 freestyle and 100 butterfly.
Liam Sholinder captured the diving event.
Patrick Ross won the 100 freestyle.
Thomas Jones took the 500 freestyle, and Edward Gillespie won the 100 breaststroke.
Both the 200 medley relay and 400 freestyle relay teams also won their events.