By Oly Archibald
PORT ANGELES — Both Peninsula Pirate basketball teams opened up NWAC play over the weekend with mixed results.
The Pirate women earned a weekend split, losing to the 2nd-ranked Columbia Basin Hawks 74-56. The Hawks jumped out to a 47-26 halftime lead. The Pirates turned the ball over 19 times, were out rebounded 23-14 and shot an ice cold 12% from the floor. The Pirates did improve their 2nd half performance by outscoring the Hawks 30-27.
Freshman point guard Shaina Moananu led the way with 17 points. Freshman Lexi Mackey, out of Australia, hit for 9 points and pulled down 4 rebounds coming off the bench. Freshman post Lainey Suaava out of Palmer Alaska scored 8 points and pulled down 6 rebounds in just 12 minutes of play.
On Saturday it was a much more productive day as the Pirates held off NWAC power Walla Walla 57-56. Once again it was Shania Moananu leading the way with 19 points and dishing out 4 assists. Jenilee Donovan, a sophomore from Barrow, Alaska, had 11 points and Lexi Mackey had 11 points and pulled down 9 rebounds. The Pirates next game is at home Friday December 1st against Treasure Valley.
Pirate point guard Shania Moananu averaged 18 points per game in the Pirates’ two games in Pasco.
The Pirate men dropped both their games losing to Green River 95-73 and Tacoma 86 -71. The big issue for the Pirates was rebounding. In the two losses, the Pirates were out rebounded 86-48. The Pirates were without 6’5″ forward Aiden Olmstead who is an outstanding rebounder.
Against Green River Ese Onakpoma led the way with 25 points. Guard Jaron Ervin hit for 18 points and pulled down 8 rebounds. Ben Njomo had 12 points.
In the loss to Tacoma, Jaron Ervin hit for 21 points and pulled down 7 rebounds. Former Port Angeles Roughrider Wyatt Dunning hit for 15 points, Ben Njomo had 12 points and Esa Onakpoma scored 10 points.
The Pirates will be at the Skagit Valley Crossover tournament this weekend. On Friday the Pirates take on Big Bend at 5 pm. On Saturday the Pirates tip off against Gray’s Harbor at 2 pm. On Sunday the Pirates will take on Clark College at 2 pm.
Both games on Friday and Sunday will be broadcast live right here on KONP Newsradio.
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There is bowling action today as the Roughriders host Olympic at 2:45.
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The state 2A football semifinals are set and 3 of the 4 teams are very familiar to the Roughriders. North Kitsap beat Lynden in OT 34-28. Tumwater beat Clarkston 42-6 and Anacortes beat Orting 42-0. So in the semifinals it’s Enumclaw taking on Anacortes and North Kitsap takes on Tumwater. Three of the teams that defeated the Roughriders are in the semifinals.