By Eric Trent
Amidst a 17-game win streak that dates back to January 2014, Peninsula women’s basketball head coach Ali Crumb and her team are already in mid-season form, capping off a red-hot, 4-0 road-trip stand to start the season.
Crumb and the Lady Pirates are looking to repeat after last year’s championship victory, which was the first women’s basketball title in school history.
With three 20-plus point wins and another by 14, the Pirates are rolling competition and have certainly sent shockwaves throughout the NWAC.
“Obviously, it feels good. Wins are always better than losses, but I think it was good for us to start to gain some momentum moving forward into this new season,” Crumb said.
The Pirates have carried their enthusiasm from the off-season into the regular season.
“Girls are excited and ready to come back and work, so I think it has given us a lot of positivity in our locker room. We have a long way to go, but positive vibes are always good things to have on long road trips,” Crumb said.
The combined experience of Peninsula’s returning starters, combined with the talent of nine new freshman have helped vault the Pirates to their scorching start.
“I think our players are great players. If you have a good team you’re going to be able to compete, and we have a very good team, so I like our chances in a lot of games,” Crumb said.
“I also think that we have great experience and returning players to help guide people forward, and our freshmen are excited and ready to step in and make plays,”
They aren’t playing fearful, they’re playing confident, which is exciting. Again, we have a long way to go, but having a great start definitely helps keep the drive alive,” Crumb said.
The Lady Pirates have three away games in Walla Walla on December 4th and 5th and 6th against Columbia Basin, Walla Walla and Wenatchee Valley.
When asked if she has any upcoming games circled, Crumb said, “All of them. We have a really tough schedule. I think our next three games are all going to be very difficult road games.”
“I’m excited for each one. Pierce Tournament is always the toughest tournament out there, and then we have the Crossover at home.”
So, all of the games are important, and all of them will be challenging.”
