By Oly Archibald
MOUNT VERNON — The fourth-ranked Peninsula Pirates women’s basketball team, now 7-0 in conference and 15-4 overall, used an intimidating, in-your-grill defense to knock off a solid Skagit Valley squad on its home court, 53–26.
The Cardinals entered the game averaging 60 points per contest and were coming off a big road win at Bellevue, but Peninsula held them to an ice-cold 18 percent shooting from the field.
The Pirates were dominant defensively, keeping Skagit Valley out of the paint. The Cardinals scored just 10 points between the blocks and attempted only eight free throws for the entire game.
It wasn’t a hot night offensively for Peninsula, scoring 17 points below its season average, but the Pirates more than made up for it with tenacious defense and outstanding ball movement in transition. Thirty-eight of Peninsula’s points came in the paint.
Every Pirate contributed to the win.
Sophomore post Alecsis Smith controlled the low blocks, scoring 14 points and pulling down 12 rebounds.
Sophomore Carliese O’Brien was once again outstanding, pushing the fast break and running head coach Allison Crumb’s offensive sets when needed. O’Brien finished with eight points, three rebounds, three assists, and three steals.
Sophomore forward Makena Patrick added eight points and six rebounds.
Balanced effort fuels another win: Makena Patrick and Aspen Fraser combined for 14 points and 17 rebounds as the Pirates captured their 47th straight Northern Conference victory.
Former Neah Bay Red Devil Ryana Moss knocked down two three-pointers, grabbed four rebounds, and was active all over the floor defensively.
Freshman forward Aspen Fraser had a strong night, scoring six points and hauling down 11 rebounds, to go along with three assists, two steals, and a blocked shot.
Former Roughrider Paige Mason played 12 minutes for Skagit Valley, scoring three points and pulling down two rebounds.
The Pirates have now won 47 straight Northern Conference games over a three-year span. Peninsula has a bye this Saturday before hosting Shoreline on February 4.
Two of the top coaches in the NWAC meet before tipoff: Skagit Valley head coach Deb Castle and Peninsula head coach Allison Crumb prior to last night’s matchup.
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On the men’s side, the Pirates faced top-ranked Skagit Valley and the Cardinals shot the lights out once again, defeating Peninsula 94–54.
Skagit Valley jumped out to a quick 17–4 lead in the first four minutes. Cardinals freshman Treyshawn Weatherspoon was a perfect 5-for-5 from three-point range in the first half and finished with 30 points.
Patrick Odingo led Peninsula with 12 points. Paxton Heitsch and Sam Tekeste added 11 points apiece, while Titus Driver finished with 10.
Former Roughrider Parker Nickerson played 12 minutes for Skagit Valley, scoring three points with two rebounds. Former Roughrider Gus Halberg logged 18 minutes for the Pirates and scored five points.
Former Roughriders face off: Parker Nickerson of Skagit Valley and Gus Halberg of Peninsula go head-to-head in last night’s game in Mount Vernon.