By Oly Archibald
PORT ANGELES — It’s Sophomore Night at Peninsula College as the Pirate basketball teams face important matchups tonight.
The Pirate men, 6–7 in conference and 7–21 overall, currently hold the fourth and final spot for a bid to the NWAC Tournament — one game ahead of 5–8 Everett. However, Everett hosts Shoreline tonight. Shoreline is 3–9 and lost at home to Everett in their first meeting.
Meanwhile, the Pirates host third-ranked Skagit Valley, 11–2 in conference and 25–3 overall.
So what does it all mean?
Unless the Pirates can pull off a shock NWAC win over Skagit Valley — or Shoreline can upset Everett — Peninsula and Everett would finish tied for the fourth and final NWAC Tournament spot. That would force a play-in game next week to decide who advances.
Former Port Angeles Roughrider Parker Nickerson will play his final game in Port Angeles tonight as a member of Skagit Valley.
It will also be the final home game for Pirate sophomores Paxton Heitsch, Cinco McNeal, and Patrick Odingo.
Odingo deserves special praise for helping keep this team together. After missing last season with a knee injury, he didn’t have to return — especially following a late-season coaching change and with three other Pirate starters who could have come back choosing not to. Odingo’s leadership, maturity, and strong play on the floor have turned what could have been a difficult season into one the coaching staff and team can be proud of.
Pirate sophomore point guard Patrick Odingo, from Perth, Australia, has had an outstanding season. His leadership and play on the floor are a big reason the Pirates remain in contention for an NWAC playoff berth.
Tonight’s doubleheader tips off at 5:00, and you can hear both games live on KONP Newsradio. Greg Thomas and Joe Gladfelter will have the play-by-play.
On the women’s side, the third-ranked Pirates, 13–0 in conference and 21–4 overall, host NWAC’s No. 2 Skagit Valley, 11–2 and 15–12.
Peninsula is looking to win its third consecutive Northern Conference championship without a loss. The Pirates have won 52 straight conference games.
It will be the final game in Port Angeles for Cardinal and former Roughrider Paige Mason.
And it’s the last home game for an extremely talented sophomore class that includes Haley Ostrander, Carliese O’Brien, Veniza Jackson, Ryana Moss, Makena Patrick, and Alecsis Smith.
Pirate legacy Makena Patrick and former Neah Bay Red Devil Ryana Moss will play their final home games for the Pirates tonight.