PORT ANGELES — The sendoff party for the Peninsula College men’s basketball team to the league championship tournament is today starting at noon.

The general public is invited to the party, which is scheduled for the Pirate Union Building (PUB). The Pirates are leaving today for the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges playoffs in Kennewick Friday through Monday.

The 40th annual tourney is set for the Tri-Cities Coliseum.

Peninsula, the North Division champion, is gunning for the NWAACC title trophy. The Pirates, 14-2 in division and 20-6 overall, are ranked No. 2 overall in league in the final NWAACC coaches’ poll.

Ranked No. 1 going into the tournament is Chemeketa Community College of Salem, Ore. (12-2, 23-4). The No. 3 team, Lower Columbia Community College of Longview (13-3, 22-5), was the former No. 1 squad. Chemeketa moved up from No. 5 to No. 1 in the final poll.