By Oly Archibald
PORT ANGELES — In NWAC basketball action, in a game you heard on KONP Newsradio, the Peninsula Pirate men jumped out to a 40–19 halftime lead and went on to beat Shoreline, 75–63.
The win keeps the Pirates firmly in the hunt for the fourth and final spot in the NWAC Tournament. Everett currently sits in fourth place at 4–4, with the Pirates and Whatcom just a game back at 3–5. Peninsula travels to Whatcom on Saturday in what could amount to an elimination game.
The Pirates were led by Cinco McNeal with 20 points. Parker Lambright added 13 points and eight rebounds. Sam Tekeste also scored 13, Patrick O’Dingo finished with 12, and Titus Driver chipped in eight points and five boards.
Pirates guard Cinco McNeal’s slam dunk helped keep Peninsula in NWAC playoff contention with a win over Shoreline. (Photo courtesty Jay Cline)
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On the women’s side, the third-ranked Peninsula Pirate women delivered a dominant 94–9 win over Shoreline. The NWAC has some serious issues with some of their women’s basketball teams needing recruiting help.
Peninsula led 54–3 at halftime and 31–0 after the first quarter.
Haley Ostrander, the 5-foot-7 sophomore from Lanai, Hawaii, led the Pirates with 18 points and seven rebounds. In just 11 minutes, Alecsis Smith scored 14 points and pulled down seven rebounds. Former Kingston Buccaneer Tanya Caldera turned in her best game as a Pirate, scoring nine points. Malia Garcia, Madison Smith, and Marley Myers each added seven.
Pirates sophomore Haley Ostrander scored 18 points and grabbed seven rebounds in Peninsula’s win over Shoreline
The third-ranked Pirates, now 8–0 in conference and 16–4 overall, will put their 48-game Northern Conference winning streak on the line Saturday at Whatcom.
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Pirate head coach Alison Crumb was named the NWAC Northern Conference Difference Maker of the Year. The award honors athletic staff members who make a significant positive impact on the lives of others across the NWAC.
Peninsula Pirate head basketball coach Alison Smith was named the NWAC Northern Conference Difference Maker of the Year.
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In high school basketball tonight, the Port Angeles girls can clinch the Olympic League championship with a home win against Kingston on Senior Night. Tip-off is at 7:00. The Roughriders will then host a district game at home on February 18th.
The Port Angeles boys wrap up league play tonight on the road at Kingston, also with a 7:00 tip-off. The Roughriders are expected to host a district game on February 14th.
KONP Newsradio plans to broadcast all Port Angeles Roughrider district playoff basketball games.