VANCOUVER, Wash. — Ryley Callaghan highlights Peninsula College’s long list of Northwest Athletic Conference all-region basketball honorees.
Callaghan, a sophomore guard, was voted North Region MVP by the region’s men’s coaches.
Callaghan is Peninsula’s second-highest scorer with an average of 14.6 points. He leads the team in assists (2.9 per game) and 3-pointers made with 67.
“I’m really excited for him,” Peninsula men’s coach Mitch Freeman said.
“I think he’s well-deserving of it. Obviously, there are a lot of guys [in the North] who put up a lot of numbers, but he’s the catalyst for our team, and to see him rewarded is very exciting.”
Two other players from the North Region men’s champion Pirates earned all-region recognition.
Deonte Dixon, Peninsula’s leading scorer at 15.4 points per game, was voted to the second team.
“We thought he was a first-team all-region players as well,” Freeman said.
Freshman Darrion Daniels was chosen for the region’s all-defensive team.
“He’s been one of our best defenders, especially on-ball,” Freeman said.
Freeman was voted coach of the year after leading Peninsula to its first North title since 2008.
“I definitely attribute that to our guys,” Freeman said.
“We have a special group of guys that have bought into the way we want to play.
“I give it all to our players. They’re deserving of it.”
Everett’s Quadir Williams was selected as the North’s defensive player of the year.
The men’s first team is Everett’s Derek Brown Jr., Olympic’s Brian Neal, Edmonds’ Zach Walton, Whatcom’s Jordan Johnson and Shoreline’s Jason Smarr.
Walton also is the freshman of the year.
Women’s Basketball
Moss, Smith on first team
Peninsula’s Cierra Moss, a sophomore from Neah Bay, and Imani Smith were selected for the women’s North Region first team.
Moss leads the Pirates in scoring at 15.6 points per game. Smith, a sophomore point guard, is second at 13.26 per game.
Zhara Laster, also a sophomore, made the second team and was voted defensive player of the year.
“I think Zhara should be firs-team, too,” Peninsula women’s coach Alison Crumb said.
“She is incredibly deserving of the defensive MVP. She’s one of the best defensive players I’ve coached.”
Smith also was named to the region’s all-defensive team.
“They busted their butts for two years,” Crumb said of the three honored sophomores.
“They deserve that recognition for winning titles back-to-back.”
Crumb was voted coach of the year, having led the Pirates to their second consecutive region championship.
Crumb considers it a team award.
“I’ve got the best team. The players helped me get that award,” Crumb said.
“The team that wins the title, generally that coach should get the coach of the year.
“I’m humbled by it, but I’m not surprised. We’ve got the best players.”
Bellevue’s Makayla Jones was chosen as the North MVP.
Joining Moss and Smith on the first team are Whatcom’s Lindsey Honneycutt, Everett’s Breezy Shore and Skagit Valley’s Emily Yost.
Yost also was picked as the freshman of the year.
Johnson honored
Port Angeles graduate Krista Johnson, a sophomore guard for South Puget Sound, was voted to the West Region second team.
Johnson has averaged 13.1 points while helping lead the Clippers to the NWAC tournament for the first time in several years.
South Puget Sound
(16-12) will visit Wenatchee Valley (24-5) at 3 p.m. Saturday in the first round of the tournament.
