WALLA WALLA — Peninsula College swept this road trip last year.
It was quite the feat at the time that was eventually verified as legit when the Pirates went on to win the first women’s basketball conference championship in school history.
First, Peninsula defeated Columbia Basin 96-82 in Walla Walla last Dec. 5. The next day, the Pirates beat Walla Walla 72-63.
On the way back home to the North Olympic Peninsula, they stopped in Wenatchee and avenged a season-opening loss by beating Wenatchee Valley 58-50 on Dec. 7.
One year later, the trip is the same.
This time, though, any element of surprise Peninsula had in 2014 is gone.
“We’re not going to go unnoticed,” Pirates coach Alison Crumb said.
“And we’re one of those names being tossed around [as a favorite]. It’s a different position to be in, but we’re excited for the challenge.”
Peninsula (4-0) and Columbia Basin (1-2) meet today in a duel of the two most recent NWAC champions to open the Warrior Classic in Walla Walla at 2 p.m.
The Pirates play Walla Walla (2-1) on Saturday at 4 p.m., and then go to Wenatchee (4-0) to face the Knights on Sunday at 2 p.m.
“It’s a really tough three-game road trip,” Crumb said.
Wenatchee Valley and Peninsula are two of only four NWAC teams that remain undefeated this season. Umpqua (5-0) and Lane (4-0) are the others.
The Pirates’ four wins came from a four-games-in-four-days road trip in Western Washington last month.
Peninsula has won 17 consecutive games dating back to January.
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Sports Editor Lee Horton can be reached at 360-417-3525 or at lhorton@peninsuladailynews.com.
