COLLEGE BASKETBALL: Peninsula women cut down the nets as back-to-back North Region champs

PORT ANGELES — Peninsula College claimed back-to-back North Region women’s basketball championships after the Pirates made short work out of Everett in an 89-41 drubbing at home Wednesday.

The contest, the final regular season game, also doubled as sophomore night for the Peninsula women and befitting their accomplishments — a celebration was in order.

“We cut down the nets and we had one of the best sophomore nights I’ve ever been apart of,” Pirates coach Alison Crumb said. “We had parents and family come in from all over the West Coast. The Lower Elwha Tribe gifted all of the sophomores with blankets. And it was pretty special to share the moment with the [North Region champion] men’s team. It’s only happened three times in the history of Peninsula College [men and women both win region titles], and I’ve been a part of all three of them.”

Against last-place Everett, the Pirates dominated from the get-go, leading 27-9 after one quarter.

Port Angeles product Millie Long backed up her selection as NWAC Women’s Basketball Player of the Week with another stellar performance. Long cashed in for 14 points on 6 of 12 shooting, including 2 of 3 on 3-point tries. She added seven rebounds, six steals and five assists.

Itaua Tuisaula led Peninsula with 18 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks.

Neah Bay sophomore Ruth Moss and Port Townsend sophomore Gina Brown each started the game.

Moss hit 2 of 3 on 3s and had seven points, two rebounds, two assists and a steal. Brown scored six with six rebounds and an assist.

The Pirates (12-2, 20-4) will face the South Region No. 4, either Umpqua or Linn-Benton, in the Sweet 16 round of the NWAC Tournament at noon Thursday at Columbia Basin College in Pasco.

Peninsula’s chances at capturing the North crown appeared dim after an 0-2 start to the North schedule.

“In the moment, I was pissed,” Crumb said. “We had high hopes coming in and to start 0-2 on the season and 0-2 in league play was not acceptable. But it motivated us, humbled us, let us know we were beatable and that if we didn’t bring our best, it was going to be tough. We didn’t deserve to talk about it. We had to fight our way back into it.

“And we saw a lot of growth, and the belief that maybe this is possible, starting after seven or eight games. And once people figured out their roles, we really took off.”

Crumb said this group of sophomores is particularly memorable.

“Personally, this is the first group that has been with me as a mom,” Crumb said. “There’s not very many women [coaching] in the NWAC with young children; it’s hard. They’ve helped me along the way. First week of school he gets sick and I have three players help with watching him while I go to a meeting or take care of something. It’s been a unique change for me as a mom because I see them as other people’s kids now and I will remember how they were to my kids and my family.”

And the team has the opportunity to return to the NWAC title game again this season.

“They’ve accomplished a lot already,” Crumb said. “They are 45-8 in two years, back-to-back regional champs, broke six or seven team records, had three players of the week and went to a championship game.

“So they are right up there, definitely comparable to the most talented teams we’ve had. Time will tell in the playoffs when the pressure is on, season is on the line and how will we respond. But the sophomores are some of the best people in my life, I trust them with my kids, with the scouting report and to win a championship.”

Long NWAC Player of the Week

Last week, Long led the Pirates to two more victories, defeating Whatcom 80-63 and Edmonds 94-72. Long averaged 19.5 points in the two wins as she shot 50 percent from the field. She contributed in all areas, averaging 7.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.0 steals. Long ranks sixth in the NWAC with 18.1 points per game, 11th in assists per game (3.4) and third in steals per game (3.6).

“Millie is the all-time steals leader in a single season and career for Peninsula College,” Crumb said. “She is a mismatch for most people to guard, and she is very disruptive defensively.”

Peninsula 89, Everett 41

Everett 9 10 11 11 — 41

Peninsula 27 17 21 24 — 89

Everett (41) — Pittman 15, Trichler 9, Hunt 5, Jones 5, Thoma 5, F

Peninsula (89) — Tuisaula 18, Long 14, Selden 11, Kaganak 10, Kamae 9, Donovan 8, Moss 7, Marini 6, Brown 6.

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Sports reporter/columnist Michael Carman can be contacted at 360-417-3525 or at mcarman@peninsuladailynews.com.