PORT ANGELES – Alison Crumb enters her fifth year as head coach of the Peninsula College women’s basketball team with a roster that might be her strongest.
The Pirates went 11-15 overall last year, but 8-6 in conference play, placing fourth in the North Division and advancing to the Northwest Athletics Conference Basketball Tournament for the third straight year.
They’ll open their 2014-15 campaign at home with a 4 p.m. tipoff Saturday against Wenatchee, a team that went 14-15 last year.
The home opener will serve as “Kids Free Day,” with everyone 17 and younger admitted free.
“This year, we have a lot of new faces,” Crumb said, noting she’ll have only four returners on the roster.
“However, with the strength of those returners, and our freshmen recruits, we feel like we have one of our best teams yet.”
That returning group includes Gabi Fenumiai, a 6-foot first team all-conference post from Juneau, Alaska, who averaged nearly 16 points and 12 rebounds last year, and Madison Pilster, a 5-8 second team all-conference guard from Blackfoot, Idaho, who averaged 14 points per game last year.
Also back are Miranda Schmillen, a 5-4 guard from Honolulu, Hawaii, and Janelle Staveland, a 5-8 guard/forward from Juneau.
“While we don’t have many returners, the ones we have back were crucial to last year’s success,” Crumb said.
The Pirates also landed a sophomore transfer from Salt Lake Community College in Whitney Nemelka, a 5-8 guard from Midvale, Utah.
As a high school senior at 4A Hillcrest High, she averaged 20 points per game, and was First Team All-State and Region Most Valuable Player.
“Nemelka is a great shooter and brings a lot of leadership as a transfer student,” Crumb said.
“We expect big things from her.”
Moss sisters on team
Crumb also was able to recruit two very talented North Olympic Peninsula athletes in sisters Cierra and Cherish Moss of Neah Bay.
Cierra Moss is a 5-7 guard who broke Neah Bay’s all-time scoring record, was the Peninsula Daily News All-Peninsula Co-MVP, was twice named North Olympic League MVP and also earned Associated Press All-State honors two straight years.
She will be reunited with her older sister Cherish, also a 5-7 guard, who two years earlier was named First Team All-State and the North Olympic League’s Best Offensive Player Award winner two straight years.
“Both Cierra and Cherish bring a perimeter threat and just a good understanding of the game,” Crumb said.
“Both of them went to state all four years they were in high school and both have had great success on the Peninsula.”
The freshman class, meanwhile, is loaded with other impact players.
Imani Smith, a 5-8 guard from Ontario, California, is a First Team All- California Interscholastic Federationplayer. She was her team’s MVP both her junior and senior years.
“She is a quick and athletic point guard who can disrupt an offensive with her defensive pressure and score in the open court with her speed and athleticism,” Crumb said.
Zhara Laster, a 5-9 guard from St. Mary’s County, Maryland, who finished high school in Sedona, Arizona, is another quick and disruptive point guard.
She was the second leading scorer in the state of Arizona and led the state in steals.
Back in Maryland, her high school won national championships in 2010 and 2012, and set a new national record for the longest undefeated streak.
“Laster is a great scorer and defender and will definitely give us a boost this year,” Crumb said.
The Pirates also have solid depth this year with talented athletes throughout the roster, including Porshe Santiago, a 5-6 freshman guard from Honolulu, Hawaii, Amanda Hutchins, a 5-9 freshman guard from Wasilla, Alaska, Savanna Gonzales, a 6-0 freshman post from Honolulu, Nika Criddle, a 5-10 freshman forward from Downey, Idaho, and Jackie Schubal, a 5-10 freshman forward from Seattle.
“We will still be fairly small and quick, which is exactly the way we like it,” Crumb said, noting her team is especially deep and talented in the guard position.
“We are looking forward to playing more aggressive, at a quicker pace, which should make for a more exciting style of basketball,” Crumb said.
The Pirates’ nonconference schedule includes tournaments at Walla Walla, Pierce and Green River, a road trip to Wenatchee and a home game on Tuesday, Dec. 16 against Highline.
The North Division schedule runs from Jan. 10 through Feb. 28.
Crumb’s staff includes former player Danika Johnson, former Port Angeles High School coach Mike Knowles and student assistant Alison Knowles.