PORT ANGELES — Jesse Ellis tied the Peninsula College women’s basketball assist record with 11, five players hit for double figures and everyone scored in what had to be one of the highest scoring wins in Peninsula women’s basketball history Wednesday night.
The Pirates rocked Seattle Storm 93-57.
Ellis, a freshman from Skagway, Alaska, converted on 11 assists, tying the school record held by teammate Karli Brakes, coach Alison Crumb (2004) and former Alaska standout Trista White (2004).
The Pirates stormed out to a 43-27 halftime lead and never looked back as coach Crumb played her bench liberally — and got a lot of production out of her reserves with 13 points from Leisl Brown, eight from Jonica Durbin, and four each from Tia Mason, Callie Monfrey and Ashley Manker.
Meanwhile, the starters put up some pretty good numbers in limited minutes as Taylor Larson poured in 22, Abby Jones had 12 points and a season-high seven steals, and Jasmine Yarde and Ellis each chipped in 11.
Point guard Karli Brakes also had a strong showing at both ends of the floor.
The Pirates next (6-2, 12-6) have a date with the Cardinals at Skagit Valley on Saturday where a win would put Peninsula right back in the driver’s seat for the conference championship.
Men’s Basketball
Peninsula 98, Seattle 77
PORT ANGELES — The Pirates, who have lost at home only once in coach Lance Von Vogt’s two-year career at Peninsula, weren’t about to let that happen Wednesday night against a very talented Seattle Storm team.
In their previous meeting in Seattle, the Pirates needed a J.T. Terrell 3-pointer at the buzzer to escape with a 103-102 win.
This time, the Pirates turned up their offense and pulled away from a sharp-shooting Storm club in the second half to win going away.
The Pirates shot a respectable 40 percent in the first half to build a 37-29 lead, but couldn’t shake the Storm in the early minutes of the second half as fans braced themselves for another nail-biter.
Then, in a spectacular show of dunks, twisting driving layups and crisp shooting from the perimeter, the Pirates shot 62 percent from the floor in the second half to bury the Storm.
DeShaun Freeman had another double-double with 26 points and 12 rebounds to lead the hosts, Dudley Ewell hit for 22, Terrell had 18, Sam Waller had 17 points, six boards and six assists, and Tyler Funk had another spectacular game distributing the ball with 12 assists.
The Pirates, who improved to 7-2 in conference play and 17-3 overall, travel to Skagit Valley on Saturday.