PORT ANGELES — Packed full of returners along with an exciting stable of newcomers, the Peninsula College women’s basketball team — complete with four North Olympic Peninsula products — is loaded and built to build on last season’s undefeated NWAC North Division title run.
The Pirates bring back their top four scorers, top four rebounders, the top four in steals and three out of their top four assist makers from 2023-24 in Sequim’s Jelissa Julmist (9 points per game, 7.7 rebounds); Ciera Tugade Agasiva (10.5, 4.5); Shania Moananu (10, 4.3) and Alexa Mackey (8.3, 4.3 rebounds, 3 assists).
Also back is Neah Bay’s Allie Greene, a 3-point sharpshooter who knocked down 35-percent of her 3-point attempts and averaged 7.4 points last season.
“They have more intention with what we want to do,” coach Alison Crumb said. “When you are demonstrating your philosophy and system and you have people execute earlier on, and its easier for our freshmen to catch on.
“They are hungrier, they have an understanding of what the competition in the NWAC is going to be like on a nightly basis and what it takes to win. Last year it was 12 freshmen have to take my word for it and this year it’s more peer driven.”
Agasiva and Monanu lead the squad by example, according to Crumb.
“Shania and Ciera are our captains again this year,” Crumb said. “Jelissa has been phenomenal in the post and the same with Lexie [Mackey] our Australian, she’s grown so much especially her attack off the dribble.
“Ciera is our energizer bunny, she can hit 3s, she’s great in the open court, aggressive off the dribble and brings plenty of team spirit. Shania is super disciplined about basketball and training, she’s an explosive player and she’s tough, not a lot of people are knocking her down.
“Lexie is so explosive in the open court, can finish around the rim and is physical and can bother teams because she’s not afraid to use her body to go for a loose ball.”
Forks Kadie Wood also returns. “She’s an all-around player who can do a little bit of everything,” Crumb said. “Kadie is super likeable.”
Neah Bay’s two-time state champion Ryana Moss will be the fourth Moss sister to play under Crumb’s tutelage.
“Ryana has been playing basketball since she was born,” Crumb said. “She knows where to be on the court, she’s long and she’s a very good defender, people may not know know good of a defender she was in high school,” Crumb said.
Makena Patrick will provide options at guard and forward.
“Makena plays every position, plays well in base, cuts well to the basket and has a high basketball IQ,” Crumb said. “She would start for most NWAC teams. Same with Carliese, it’s like having another starter coming off the bench. And Carliese is explosive, quick and gets to the hoops.
Bobbie Skyy-Ragsdale has been slowed by injuries in the preseason, but will make an impact Crumb said.
“She’s a really long, athletic player who will be part of things when healthy,” Crumb said.
Alecsis Smith, a 6-foot-3 post, will work with Julmist in the post.
“Jelissa and Alecsis are kind of our 1-2 punch,” Crumb said. “We have multiple starter-quality players coming off the bench which provides for a really tough rotation. And they can play tough inside, our guards can control the tempo and I like that we have the ability to be multi-faceted and play different styles.
Schedule-wise, Peninsula built a top-line test of high quality teams, including today’s trip to face two-time defending NWAC champion Lane.
“We have a much tougher schedule than last year,” Crumb said. “This team has what it takes to contend for a championship and if you are going to accomplish that it helps to be tested and to play the toughest schedule you can.”
Peninsula College Pirates
• Head coach: Alison Crumb
• 2023-24 record: 22-3 overall, 14-0 in NWAC North Division. Advanced to NWAC Elite Eight.
• Key returners: Jelissa Julmist (So., C, 6-0); Ciera Tugade Agasiva (So., G/F, 5-6); Shania Moananu (So., G, 5-6); Alexa Mackey (So., G/F, 5-11); Amy Pilon (So., G, 5-7); Kadie Wood (So., G, 5-4); Kiyara Miller (RsFr., G, 5-2); Allie Greene (So., G, 5-3);
• Newcomers: Ryana Moss (Fr., F, 5-6); Bobbie-Skyy Ragsdale (Fr., G/F, 5-10); Makena Patrick (Fr., G/F, 5-9); Alecsis Smith (Fr., C, 6-3); Veniza Jackson (Fr., G, 5-2); Carliese O’Brien (Fr., G, 5-6).
• Strengths: Return top starters from North Division champion/Elight Eight 2023-24 squad.
• Areas to improve: Raise free-throw shooting percentage. Pirates were middle of the road at the free-throw line in 2023-24.
• Outlook: Crumb’s made three NWAC Championship games in her 15-years as head coach and she belives this team is built to win a conference championship.
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Sports reporter/columnist Michael Carman can be contacted at sports@peninsuladailynews.com.
KEITH THORPE/PENINSULA DAILY NEWS Peninsula’s Jelissa Julmist, front, pushes her way to the lane past Skagit Valley’s Jenae Rhoads on Wednesday evening at Peninsula College.
