PORT ANGELES — Port Angeles senior Madison Cooke has made the transition from a Pirate Pal to a Pirate Player, signing a letter of intent Friday to play basketball for Peninsula College and head coach Alison Crumb.
“I’m fortunate enough to have gotten to watch Madi grow up in this town and grow into the player that she has become,” Crumb said. “Madi was actually one of my former players [and] now assistant Gabi Fenumiai’s Pirate Pal when she was little. She has spent a lot of time in this gym, and we are excited to be able compete with her here the next couple years.”
Easily the most dynamic and arguably the most talented girls basketball player on the North Olympic Peninsula since Port Angeles and University of Alaska-Anchorage standout Jessica Madison, Cooke’s signing is a big boost for the Pirates.
“We are proud to have Madi Cooke join the Peninsula College Women’s Basketball team next year, “Crumb said. “Madi brings such athleticism and talent to our team and will be a huge addition to us.”
Cooke said she felt at ease at Peninsula, owing to long-lasting relationships with Crumb, assistant coach Mike Knowles and other Pirate coaches.
“Peninsula was just the most comfortable opportunity for me,” Cooke said. “And I can’t wait to get back into that gym atmosphere. I want to win here.”
Cooke, at a listed height of 5-foot-10 is classified as a forward, has the ball-handling and ball-hawking skills of a guard and jumps higher than taller centers to tap away and corral rebounds.
A standout forward on the Roughriders’ (21-6) state-tournament squad as a sophomore in 2018-19, Cooke averaged 16.8 points per game on the season while connecting on 50 percent of her shots from the floor. She also led Olympic League and West Central District champion Port Angeles in rebounding with 10.4 boards per contest and was second in steals (3.3) and assists (2.8).
Cooke was selected as Olympic League 2A Division MVP by Olympic League coaches, was picked as second-team Class 2A All-State Tournament by prep reporters and earned honorable mention on The Associated Press Class 2A all-state team.
She also was the All-Peninsula Girls Basketball MVP as selected by area coaches and the sports staff of the Peninsula Daily News.
“Cooke has racked up a lot of stats and awards here on the Peninsula, and I’m sure she will do the same here at Peninsula College, but ultimately we want to get another championship ring, and so does Madi,” Crumb said. “That’s the goal, and we think she can help us do that.”
