MOUNT VERNON —The Peninsula College men’s basketball team dropped two straight games at the 41st annual Skagit Valley College Turkey Tourney, over the weekend, an 86-70 loss to the Another Level Blue Angels and an 80-69 defeat against defending NWAC champion Portland.
After starting strong with a 66-60 win against Tacoma in the tournament’s opening round, the Pirates had trouble with tougher competition and ended up fifth in the eight-team event.
Freshman Ryley Callaghan poured in 33 points against Tacoma and continued his strong play with 28 points against the Blue Angeles and 25 versus Portland.
The South Kitsap product was named to the all-tourney team and leads the NWAC in scoring with 103 points in four games, a 25.75 points per game average.
Against the Blue Angels, Callaghan went 10 of 19 from the field and 5 of 6 from 3-point range, with five rebounds and three assists.
Jeremiah Hobbs added 12 points on 5 of 8 shooting and six rebounds and guard Chris Reis added 11 points, and five rebounds from his guard position.
The Blue Angels are comprised of former college and professional players that travel and play against colleges and other semi-professional clubs throughout the season.
In the third-place game, the Portland Panthers jumped out to a 43-26 halftime lead en route to an 80-69 win over the Pirates.
Callaghan had another big night, hitting 8 of 16 from the floor, 5 of 5 from the free throw line and 4 of 10 from beyond the arc to finish with 25.
He also doled out an impressive 10 assists.
Domach Domach hit for 16 points, the highest total of his collegiate career, and added six rebounds.
Freshman Malik Mayeux also had a strong performance with nine points and 11 rebounds, and Alex Ironside had his best game so far for Peninsula with eight points.
Back home Saturday
With four road games now under their belt, the Pirates are ready to make their home debut this weekend at the Pirate Classic, sponsored by First Federal.
“This will be a great opportunity for the home fans to come see this great college basketball team,” director of athletics Rick Ross said.
“Coach Mitch Freeman and his staff have put together a team that this community will really enjoy watching.”
The Pirates (1-3) will open the annual four-team event at 7 p.m. Saturday against Centralia (1-2), following a 5 p.m. game between Skagit Valley (2-1) and South Puget Sound (0-2).
Sunday’s schedule has Centralia vs. Skagit at 1 p.m. and Peninsula vs. South Puget Sound at 3 p.m.
Admission is $6 for adults, $4 for seniors 55 and older, veterans and college students. Youth age 17 and younger will be admitted free.
PC, Ruddell team
Peninsula College has partnered with Ruddell Auto Mall for a fund raiser to benefit athletic scholarships.
Pirate boosters can visit Ruddell’s to take advantage of a $20 oil change (value $30) from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Friday.
If customers say “PC Athletics,” Ruddell’s will donate $10 for every oil change to the Pirate Athletic Association.
Ruddell Auto Mall is located at 110 Golf Course Road in Port Angeles.
