PORT ANGELES — Peninsula was consistent in all facets in a 90-67 men’s basketball win over Shoreline in the NWAC North Region opener for both squads.
Consistently better on the offensive end where the Pirates (32 of 64) out shot the Dolphins (27 of 67) by nearly 10 percent from the floor and at the free throw line (18 of 20 vs. 6 of 10).
Team-oriented play.
Peninsula shared the ball more in Wednesday’s win, with assists on 19 of 32 made baskets compared to Shoreline’s nine assists, and the Pirates also outrebounded the Dolphins 43-26.
“We’re getting better, better and better as the guys start to trust each other and get that rhythm,” Pirates head coach Mitch Freeman said.
“It always takes time, but we are 16 games into the season and we are really improving in that area and starting to get that knowledge.”
Ahead by as much as 20 late in the first half and up 46-32 at the break, Peninsula showed its mettle while withstanding Shoreline’s best shot at a comeback as the Dolphins pulled within 53-46 with a little under 15 minutes to play.
Trent Warren was all over the floor as the Pirates answered back, scoring 10 of Peninsula’s points on shots that included a tip-in off a teammate’s miss and two 3’s during a 24-4 run to reclaim total control of the contest.
“We are getting better at that, we are starting to finish and close out games on a more consistent basis now,” Freeman said. “We’ve had a number of games, Big Bend, Tacoma, Mount Hood, that have been close and we are starting to do a better job of finishing games.
“But tonight, we were able to do something we haven’t been able to do in the past, start with a big lead and finish with a big lead.”
Warren, who finished with a team high 16 points, including 4 of 9 shooting from outside, was part of a four-player group of productive bigs for the Pirates.
“He’s playing tremendously,” Freeman said of Warren. “He’s playing really well. Our bigs and forwards like [Forks’] Marky Adams, Zach Day, Eli’Sha Sheppard and Trent are all a different type of player and give us an inside/outside punch. Those guys are doing a great job and we needed that tonight. Rebounding, we won it 43-26 and we think we can be a 40 rebound a night team and we’ve been pretty close to that mark.”
Adams had 14 points on 6 of 6 shooting, including three rim-rattling two-hand slam dunks. He also tossed in a pretty jump hook and had three rebounds in 18 minutes.
“He’s doing a better job of presenting himself for passes inside and making a right now move in the post,” Freeman said. “He’s coming around and continuing to gain more and more confidence and he just works his tail off.”
Sheppard sparked Peninsula’s big run with a tip-in off a teammate’s miss. He scored 13 points and had seven rebounds, three on the offensive glass, off the bench.
“He reminds me of a player we had a couple years back in Jeremiah Hobbs,” Freeman said. “He has really exceptional length. Shoots with touch from all over, he’s got plenty of skills.”
And Freeman was impressed with his point guard, Colby Jackson.
“Colby Jackson is just a dynamic point guard, he had nine points and eight assists. He’s going to see a lot of different defenses from teams going forward. He had his hands full with their guards, Terrell Brown [Jr.] and Darnell Berry, but those guys are going to give a lot of teams problems in league play.”
Peninsula (1-0, 11-5) will host Everett (0-1, 12-4) at 6 p.m. Saturday.
Shoreline has suspended its women’s program this season due to a late coaching change and low numbers, so the Pirate women had the night off Wednesday. They’ll take on Everett at 4 p.m. Saturday.
Peninsula 90, Shoreline 67
Shoreline 32 35 — 67
Peninsula 46 44 — 90
Shoreline (67) — Brown 23, Berry 11, Watanabe 8, George 7, Miles 6, Domingos 5, Tierney 3, Nasralla 2, Nuguse 2.
Peninsula (90) — Warren 16, Adams 14, Sheppard 13, Crane 9, Jackson 9, Burton 9, Day 6, Williams 5, Buckley 3 Huish.
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Sports reporter/columnist Michael Carman can be contacted at 360-417-3525 or at mcarman@peninsuladailynews.com.
