OLYMPIA — The Kitsap connection, South Kitsap graduate Ryley Callaghan and Bremerton star Deonte Dixon, teamed for 52 points in the Peninsula’s men’s basketball team’s 91-80 victory against the Walla Walla Warriors.
Friday’s win came in the opening round of NWAC Crossover Tournament play at South Puget Sound College.
Callaghan hit for 30 points on 9 of 17 shooting, hitting on 3 of 7 3-point baskets and 9 of 10 free throws.
He added four assists and two rebounds.
Dixon knocked down 8 of 17 from the floor, hit 2 of 5 from beyond the arc and made all four of his free throws for the Pirates.
He also had eight boards.
Malik Mayeux had a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
Jal Deng saw his first action of the season and had nine points, seven rebounds, four assists and two steals.
Peninsula led 46-32 at halftime.
The Pirates had a 22-rebound advantage on the glass, pulling in 53 rebounds to the Warriors 31.
Peninsula played against Grays Harbor late Saturday night and will wrap the tournament appearance today at either 2 p.m. for the third/fifth place game or 4 p.m. for the championship.
Pirate Women drop two at tourney
AUBURN — The Peninsula women lost two games and made an early exit from the NWAC Crossover Tournament at Green River Community College.
In a rematch of last Sunday’s 77-68 loss to Lane, the Pirates fell again to the Titans, this time losing 59-46 on Thursday.
Friday night, Peninsula was upended 80-77 in overtime to Big Bend.
The Pirates suffered a bad shooting night from the floor against Lane, connecting on just 18 of 78 shots (23 percent) for the contest.
Peninsula’s defense was solid, forcing 21 turnovers, but the Pirates could muster just 20 points off those free possessions.
The Titans won the rebound battle, pulling down 66 rebounds to Peninsula’s 41.
Madison Pilster led the team in scoring with 10 points and also had eight rebounds and two steals.
Ciera Moss and Zhara Laster each scored eight for Peninsula.
Gabi Fenumiai had six points and nine boards for the Pirates.
Against Big Bend, Peninsula trailed 44-24 at halftime, rallying to force overtime in the second before coming up short.
The Pirates shot the ball better in this game, hitting 31 of 76 from the floor, but struggled from behind the arc, hitting just 6 of 27 3-point shots.
Pilster and Imani Smith led Peninsula in points with 15 apiece.
Smith added six rebounds, two assists and two steals for the Pirates. Pilster grabbed seven rebounds.
Fenumiai hit for 13 points with four rebounds.
The Pirates (0-0, 6-4) get a long holiday break before opening NWAC play at home against Edmonds (0-0, 1-7) on Saturday, Jan. 10.
