By Oly Archibald
PASCO — The 3rd-ranked Peninsula Pirate women’s basketball team visited the Hawks’ Nest yesterday to face 6th-ranked Columbia Basin, a team that had handed the Pirates a 20-point defeat in Pasco last year.
With a roster featuring star-studded veterans, sought-after recruits, and a legendary coach, NWAC basketball fans wondered just how good this Pirates team could be. The answer was clear in the second half as the Pirates dominated, securing an impressive 87-76 win.
Trailing 37-31 at halftime, the Pirates outscored the Hawks 46-30 in the second half. It was a full-team effort, with seasoned veterans stepping up and freshmen showcasing exciting potential.
Former Sequim standout Jellissa Julmist led the way with 19 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 steals. Shania Moanunu picked up where she left off last season, scoring 14 points, grabbing 6 rebounds, and sinking clutch free throws late in the game.
Jelissa Julmist looks poised to cut down more nets if her Pirates continue to play as they did in their 78-67 win over 6th-ranked Columbia Basin.
Freshman Makena Patrick, from Anaconda, Montana, contributed 12 points and 6 rebounds off the bench. Fellow freshman Ryana Moss of Neah Bay displayed her shooting prowess, hitting three 3-pointers for 9 points, along with 4 rebounds and 3 steals. Shooting guard Ciera Agasiva added 8 points, 7 steals, and 4 rebounds. Freshmen Carliese O’Brien of Bethel, Alaska, and Lexi Mackey scored 9 and 7 points, respectively.
Ciera Agasiva led the Pirates with 7 steals, contributing to the 24 turnovers forced by the team
Freshman Makena Patrick played nearly the entire game off the bench and delivered a solid performance with 12 points and 6 rebounds
The Pirates shot 6 of 16 from beyond the arc and forced 24 turnovers with strong defensive play. They face 4th-ranked Walla Walla today at 1:00 p.m. after Walla Walla’s 65-52 win over 7th-ranked LCC.
Meanwhile, the Peninsula Pirates men’s basketball team opens their season tonight at Tacoma with an 8:00 p.m. tip-off.
In NWAC soccer finals today at Starfire Stadium in Tukwila, the Peninsula women’s team takes on Spokane at 1:30 p.m., and the men’s team plays Walla Walla at 6:30 p.m.
In high school sports, the Port Angeles Roughriders bowling team swept Bremerton 7-0 in their season opener. Zoey Van Gordon led with a two-game high of 307, including a game-high 169 and an opening streak of three consecutive strikes. Sophomore Xoey Penn rolled a second-game high of 151, and Kenady Ring scored a game-high 144. The Roughriders host state powerhouse Klahowya on Monday.
At the state swim meet in Federal Way, Port Angeles junior Lynzee Reid finished 10th in diving, an impressive improvement from her 18th-place finish last year. The meet continues through tomorrow.
Port Angeles Roughrider junior Lynzee Reid placed 10th in the state diving competition at the Federal Way Aquatic Center.