By Tabitha Webster
Men’s basketball is soaring. The Peninsula College team is ranked third in the North Region. With a 15-9 record, they’re paving the way to the NWAC Finals.
“On pace and playing well, and in one of the top spots in the league right now,” said Head Coach Mitch Freeman,
The team must win all five of its remaining games to qualify for the playoffs.
The Pirate men are lead by sophomore Colby Jackson, with a 16.7 point scoring average, followed up by sophomore Kaelin Crane with a 12.9 average.
The team lost its last game against Everett, 87-84. This raised the stakes for its playoff run.
Despite the loss, Eli’sha Sheppard brought 22 points to the game. Sheppard, a freshman from Kentwood, was flying under the radar until now.
Watch the men play at home against Olympic on Wednesday at 7 p.m.
The pirate ladies are caught in a riptide struggle to find their rhythm. With a 55.6 scoring average, their leading shooter Ashlynn Sharp is holding the team afloat.
Jamelia Clark really took to the courts, raising her scores from 14.6 to 15.8 points scored during conference play.
With two players completely down for the count and four injuries that resulted in missed games, the team has had a tough time finding its feet.
With the weight of the sinking team falling onto the two new recruits, complication arose for Mikala Kirby when her transcript was inapplicable, sending her back to Las Vegas.
Payton Caci is PC women’s other Las Vegas recruit. Her hyper nature makes her a joy to have around. Head Coach Alison Crumb said Caci is adjusting well.
Crumb said that, despite their struggle, the beauty of this season comes from the good atmosphere the girls create.
Beating Whatcom on Jan. 31 broke the losing streak. The strategy is to “grind it out” said Crumb. The next games are against teams they’ve already played. “These are the revenge games.We’ve just got to motivate the girls to get their revenge,” Crumb said.
Both men and women play four out of five games left at home. Next will be against Olympic College on Wednesday, Feb. 14, Valentine’s Day. Pirate women play at at 5 p.m. and men at 7.p.m.