Roadrunners, Warriors and Chokers, oh my.
Peninsula’s men’s basketball squad got all of those and more in three games at the Linn-Benton tournament in Albany, Ore., last weekend, going 1-2 and finishing in sixth place.
After dropping out of the championship bracket in the first round with a 12-point loss to the host Roadrunners on Friday, the Pirates rebounded with a double-digit win against Grays Harbor Saturday afternoon.
Peninsula wrapped up the tourney with a loss to Walla Walla.
Down one point at halftime against Linn-Benton, the Pirates (3-4 overall) couldn’t keep up in the second half and lost 63-51.
Christian Manzanza led Peninsula with 10 points, two blocks and two steals. Teammate Jason Collins added nine points and a team-high eight rebounds.
Andrew Carter led Linn-Benton with 21 points and three blocks.
Facing elimination in the consolation bracket, the Pirates responded with a 75-64 win against Grays Harbor’s Chokers on Dec. 19.
Sequim High grad Ryan Rutherford led the P.C. charge with 23 points, hitting four of seven from three-point range. Jason Gamblin added 19 points and 14 rebounds. Peninsula held Grays Harbor to 35-percent shooting and 15 turnovers. David Boswell led the Chokers with 16 points.
On Sunday morning, Walla Walla’s Warriors jumped out to a 42-28 lead by halftime and outpaced Peninsula in a high-scoring second half, winning 91-73.
Jason Smith led Walla Walla with 30 points, sinking seven of the Warriors’ 12 three-pointers.
Rutherford scored 23 points and had five assists for the Pirates, who held a severe disadvantage in free-throw tries (19 to Walla Walla’s 41).
Gamblin scored 15 points while Manzanza had 14 points, seven rebounds and a pair of blocks.
Peninsula is back in action Dec. 28 against Lower Columbia to open the Clackamas Tournament in Oregon City, Ore.
The Pirates open conference play Jan. 2 at home against the Olympic Rangers, featuring Sequim High grad Ary Webb.
NWAACC North standings (all records are nonconference)
Team Record
Shoreline 6-2
Bellevue 6-2
Skagit Vly. 4-2
Whatcom 4-3
Seattle 3-3
Edmonds 3-4
Peninsula 3-4
Olympic 2-5
Everett 0-5
Reach Michael Dashiell at miked@sequimgazette.com.
