Photos and story by Ryan Fournier
Pirate men, with a 2-2 record (12-7 overall), are in the running for the North Region playoffs.
“I think guys understand what they can bring to the table,” said Head Coach Mitch Freeman.
Along with playing well as a team, Freeman said the team has strong leadership. In addition to captains Colby Jackson and Trent Warren, the team finds guidance in Cameron Burton and Kaelin Crane. Freeman said these two, though not captains, bring valuable experience to the equation.
Opening league play on Jan 10 (during Pirate Pete Week), the Pirates pummeled Shoreline 91-67. Four players scored double-digit points in that game. Warren and Crane each had 16. Then came freshman Marky Adams with 14, and Eli’sha Sheppard with 13.
The team then took a 101-88 loss at home against Everett in overtime.
Freeman said lulls in caused the team to lose composure.
Jackson and Crane each had 23 points that game, followed by 12 from Burton, 11 from Adams and 10 from Warren.
The team lost an away game to Olympic 84-82. Adams brought in a double-double that night, scoring 20 points and pulling 16 rebounds. Jackson had 16 points, followed by Burton with 14, Warren with 13 and Crane with 10.
They took another loss away from home against Bellevue. It was a tight game, 61-60.
Burton led PC with 15 points, followed by Warren with 10.
This season’s women are off to a rougher start, having lost their first three North Region games (2-13 overall).
Injuries have kept the team from playing to their full strength.
“It’s kinda been one of those years where what can go wrong does,” said head coach Ali Crumb. “That’s been a struggle for us all year, to get some healthy bodies.”
On the other hand, said Crumb, “That’s no excuse.”
Crumb said putting together a purposeful, dedicated practice schedule, and gaining more confidence in their offense is a must do for the team.
“We’ve been up and down as a practice team,” observed Crumb. The team, she said, needed to commit to a stronger regiment. “It should be intense, and difficult, and stressful,” she explained, so that players would be prepared to perform in a game under pressure.
They took a loss at the hands of the Everett Trojans, ranked seventh in the NWAC, in their opening game. Leading PC’s scoring during that game were Jamellia Clark with 18 points, and Shlynn Sharp with 12 points.
Last week’s two games on the road brought two more defeats.
Sharp and Clark led the scoreboard against the Rangers, with 19 and nine points respectively.
Clark led in points against Bellevue with 17, while Yamilei Rodriguez and Jocelyn were next with 6 apiece.
On Wed., Jan. 24, all Native Americans and Alaskan Natives will receive free admission to the Native American Night double-header against Skagit Valley.
Then it’s back on the road for both the men’s and women’s teams for three straight games. First against Edmonds on Jan. 27, then Whatcom on Jan. 31, and Everett on Feb. 10.
The teams will play at home again on Valentine’s Day against Olympic.
