PHOTO: The Peninsula Pirates celebrated cashing in their ticket for a  trip to the Final Four with a 79-55 win over SPS

BY OLY ARCHIBALD

PASCO — The Peninsula Pirates (24-2) are going to the Big Dance! The Pirate women’s basketball team qualified for the NWAC Final Four by once again dominating their opponents by the end of the first quarter.

The Pirates overwhelmed 21-9 South Puget Sound, securing a commanding 79-55 victory. They put on an impressive offensive display from all areas of the court.

Whether it was former Neah Bay Red Devil Ryana Moss sinking long-distance three-pointers or Alecsis Smith, the “Bay City glass cleaner,” owning the low post, the Pirates jumped out to a 23-9 first-quarter lead.

Once again, Alecsis Smith, the 6’3″ freshman from Bay City, Michigan, did the most damage in just 13 minutes of play. Smith led the Pirates with 16 points while pulling down 12 rebounds. The other part of the “Great Wall of Peninsula,” Lexie Mackey, contributed 14 points and 10 rebounds.

Two more key pieces of the Great Wall, Jelissa Julmist and Makena Patrick, dominated the paint as well. Julmist scored 8 points, grabbed 7 rebounds, and added 2 steals. Patrick once again gave head coach Allison Crumb valuable minutes, scoring 9 points and collecting 7 rebounds. Patrick’s family members from Montana made up a large part of the Pirates’ cheering section.

The Pirates’ backcourt was equally dominant. Ciera Agasiva scored 14 points and dished out 3 assists. Ryana Moss drained three long-range bombs for 9 points. Former Forks Spartan Kadie Wood had a solid all-around game, contributing 4 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists.

Carlise O’Brien added 4 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal.
Shania Moanunu grabbed 3 rebounds to go with 4 assists and 3 points.

The Pirates’ bench outscored SPS 50-20 in the paint and outrebounded the Clippers 59-37.

Pirate freshman forward Makena Patrick, speaking on the KONP Newsradio postgame show, scored 9 points and pulled down 7 rebounds as the Pirates defeated SPS 79-55.

The Pirate women’s basketball team now heads back to Pasco on Saturday, March 15, for a Final Four matchup with Lane College. The winner will advance to the NWAC Championship game on Sunday at 2:00 p.m.

Former Neah Bay Red Devil Amber Swan, an All-East Conference selection for Columbia Basin College, scored 25 points in the Hawks’ upset of Lower Columbia College. Swan, speaking on the KONP Halftime Show, discussed how the Neah Bay coaching staff emphasizes defense and consistently analyzes film to scout their opponents as a team.

Class 1B State Tournament Update:

At the Spokane Arena, the Neah Bay Red Devils girls are just two wins away from claiming their third straight state championship. Last night, the Red Devils defeated Oakesdale 51-36. They will face Wellpinit today at 3:45 p.m. in a semifinal matchup.

The Red Devil boys also secured a hard-fought win, defeating Valley 50-44. They will take on rival Lummi at 9:00 p.m. tonight for a trip to the state championship game.