Catch PC home games on the web Pirate home games will be web cast for those who can't attend. Go to www.cybersportsusa.com, click on today's web casts, then find our game and click on the camera, that will take you to the game and one more click on the game under "hot games" allows you to watch the stats unfold live. Go Pirates! . |
Julie Stewart back at helm for Pirates PORT ANGELES - Julie Stewart returns to the helm where she directed the Pirates to the only North Division women's basketball championship in school history. Stewart, who coached at Peninsula from 2003-2005 before stepping down to be home with her young children, was named women’s basketball head coach Wednesday, as announced by Athletic Director Rick Ross. “Julie is a great basketball coach, and a great mom, and we’re very pleased she worked out a plan to do both,” Ross said. “We’re lucky to have her back.” Stewart said she carefully weighed the impact on her family vs. her love of the game of basketball in making her decision. "Although my decision was made in a week’s time it was done with thoughtful consideration,” she said. “I love coaching basketball and it has become a lifestyle for my family. Being a college student-athlete is an exciting time for these young ladies and I look forward to being the head coach for the Peninsula Pirate Women.” Stewart’s Pirates went 13-12 her first year as head coach in 2003-04 and then went 21-10, 12-4 in conference play, to win the North Division championship her second year. It was a memorable night in Peninsula College history when she was at one end of the gym, cutting down the net with her players, while her husband Peter and his players were at the other end, cutting down the other net, in celebration of a conference championship of their own. She returns to the Pirate helm with six years of high school, collegiate and professional coaching experience and nine years of experience running basketball camps and clinics in the U.S., Canada, Australia, Malaysia and China. A basketball and track and field standout at the University of North Dakota from 1986-1991, Stewart has a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics. Stewart replaces Tiffany Darling, who coached the Pirates through two seasons before resigning earlier this month. In addition to coaching basketball, Stewart will teach part time, including an advanced basketball physical education class spring quarter. “Following spring break we will identify where we are as a group, and as individuals, and begin to prepare for next season," she said. Pirates finish season with win at Edmonds EDMONDS - The Pirates, who this year wrote the book on playing through adversity, finished the season with a 65-49 win over the Tritons to go 7-9 in conference play and 11-14 overall. The team was plagued by injuries from the start, losing Ayla Brown and Damaris Craig, early and then playing through some other serious injuries and adversity, the never-say-die PC women battled everyone tough, laying the groundwork for what promises to be an exciting 2008-2009 ball club. In Saturday's season finale, Brittany Bridges led Peninsula with 20 points and nine rebounds, Sam Flett had 14 points, five assists and four steals, and Britney Yamane chipped in 10 points and six assists. Playing their final games as Pirates, sophomores Brianna Allen contributed seven points and Bethany Holt pulled down five rebounds and added three steals to her team-leading total. First-place Trojans hold off Pirates 82-72 PORT ANGELES – The Pirates played an outstanding game in their final home appearance of the 2007-08 season and fell just short of upsetting the North Division champion Everett Trojans. The game went back and forth throughout the first half, as the Pirates dictated the tempo, before slipping behind 38-36 at halftime. Everett used a tremendous rebounding advantage in 6-3 post Bryna Trescott, who had 12 points and 16 rebounds for the Trojans, to stay out in front, but it was a three-point game with 3:00 to go before the visitors put it away to win 82-72. Brittany Bridges led Peninsula with 20 points, six rebounds and four assists, Sam Flett had another big night with 19 points, five boards, nine assists and five steals, Britney Yamane chipped in 14 points and six rebounds, Bethany Holt had eight points and four steals in her final home game as a Pirate and PC’s other sophomore, Brianna Allen, also had a nice final outing with five points and three assists. The Pirates (6-9, 10-14) wrap up their season Saturday at Edmonds. Orcas edge Pirates 73-69 in overtime PORT ANGELES – The Pirates were officially eliminated from post season play Monday night in a heartbreaking 73-69 overtime loss to the Orcas of Whatcom. Peninsula led 38-33 at halftime in a game that saw the lead change hands 12 times and tied 15 times. The PC women had four players in double figures, led by Sam Flett’s 25 points and eight assists, 12 points and seven rebounds from Brittany Bridges, 11 points and five assists from Britney Yamane and 10 points, seven rebounds and two steals from Krystal Tolliver, who was playing with knee injury. The Pirates shot 41 percent from the floor, to Whatcom’s 37 percent, but the Orcas outrebounded the PC women and used a desperation bank three in the final seconds to force overtime. They then outscored the Pirates 10-6 in the extra period to win it. Peninsula (6-8, 9-12) hosts Everett on Wednesday. Seattle drops PC women, 74-61 SEATTLE - The second-place North Seattle Storm pulled in front to lead 40-33 at halftime and kept it rolling through the second half to upend the Pirates 74-61. Both teams shot close to 44 percent from the floor, but the Storm used a 40-28 rebounding edge to defeat Peninsula. Sam Flett led PC with 19 points, Brittany Bridges had 18 points and six rebounds, Bethany Holt had eight points and four steals, while Brianna Allen also scored eight. The Pirates (6-7, 9-11) host Whatcom Monday night. Skagit Valley too much for Pirates MOUNT VERNON - Playoff hopes dimmed for the Pirates Wednesday in a tough 81-65 setback to the Cardinals at Skagit Valley. Brianna Allen had a season-high 20 points to lead the PC women, Britney Yamane had 19 points and six assists, Tina Knight had a season-high 13, Brittany Bridges pulled down 10 rebounds and Bethany Holt added five assists. The Pirates, who upset the Cardinals at Peninsula in the first round, trailed 45-41 at halftime, but could not stay with the Cardinals down the stretch. The PC women (6-6, 9-10) are at North Seattle Saturday. PC women hold off Rangers, 68-53 PORT ANGELES - Freshman Sam Flett poured in 25 points leading the Pirates to a 68-53 win over the Rangers, avenging a heartbreaking loss at Olympic in January. The PC women came out strong, going up 9-0 and leading 32-22 at halftime. Olympic chipped away throughout the second half, closing to five with 6:00 remaining, before the home team put it away. Flett's 24 led all scorers, and she added seven rebounds, four assists and four steals. Britney Yamane had 13 points, Brittany Bridges 12 and Bethany Holt pulled down 10 rebounds and had eight steals. The PC women (6-5, 9-9) hit the road next week with games Wednesday at Skagit Valley and Saturday at North Seattle. Bellevue holds off Peninsula BELLEVUE - The host Bulldogs held off a strong Pirate rally that fell just short in a 52-49 North Division victory Wednesday. The PC women, who trailed most of the game, had a chance to send it into overtime in the final seconds, but a lay-up and a putback wouldn't go down and the BCC women held on. Brianna Allen led the Pirates with 11 points before fouling out, Sam Flett had 10 and Britney Yamane also hit for 10 points. Brittany Bridges chipped in eight points and eight rebounds. The Pirates (5-5, 8-9) are now two games behind Skagit Valley, with six games to play, in the hunt for the fourth playoff berth to the NWAACC Tournament. Pirates steal win from Shoreline PORT ANGELES – Led by sophomore Bethany Holt, the Pirates turned up the defensive pressure in the second half and blew by the Shoreline Dolphins for a 76-67 North Division basketball victory Wednesday night. Shoreline led throughout the first half, their biggest a 32-21 margin in the final three minutes, before the Pirates closed the lead to 39-32 at the break. The PC women came out strong in the second half, shutting down the Dolphins and rallying to tie it at 44-44 with 14:57 to play. The Pirates then built that lead to 10 down the stretch as Holt swiped the ball nine times, just one steal away from PC’s single game record of 10 held by Ellie Scilley in December of 2000. Overall, the Pirates forced Shoreline into 36 turnovers, while coughing up the ball only 13 times at their end. Sam Flett led PC with 17 points, including two big field goals and four free throws in the final minutes to ice the victory. Holt also had a big night with 16, Britney Yamane had 16 points, six assists and four steals and Krystal Tolliver added eight points, eight assists and four steals. The Pirates (5-4, 9-9) have a bye this weekend and travel to Bellevue on Wednesday. Pirates rebound to sink Tritons, 89-52 PORT ANGELES – Four Peninsula College Pirates scored in double figures as they rolled over the winless Tritons of Edmonds 89-52 Saturday night before a big crowd in the Pirate gym. Sam Flett led the way with 20 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists and 6 steals, Brittany Bridges finished with 19 points and 10 boards, Krystal Tolliver had 14 points and 5 steals, and Britney Yamane chipped in 12 points, 4 assists and 3 steals. Port Angeles’ Kaylee Baumstark had a nice game, coming off the bench for 9 points and 10 rebounds, and Bethany Holt, Tina Knight, Alyssa Green, Ashlee Harter, Brianna Allen and Elisabeth Minor all contributed to the victory. The Pirates bolted out to a 46-19 lead at halftime and then opened up a 42-point spread late in the second half, 73-31, before both teams played their benches in the final minutes. The PC women shot 44 percent from the floor, they outrebounded the Tritons 53-34 and the forced 30 Edmonds turnovers. Peninsula, now 8-9 on the season, went 4-4 in the first round of North Division play and kick off the second round of conference action at home Wednesday against Shoreline. North leaders too much for Pirates EVERETT - The Pirates ran into a buzz saw, otherwise known as the Everett Trojans, Wednesday night and the result was a 94-55 setback. Everett (7-1, 14-6), shooting 49 percent from the floor, compared to PC's 26 percent, bolted out to a 47-22 lead at halftime and never looked back. Sam Flett led PC with 15 points and 9 rebounds, Krystal Tolliver had 10 points and 4 steals, and Brittany Bridges chipped in 8. The Pirates (3-4, 7-9) host winless Edmonds on Saturday. Orcas hold off PC women, 72-69 BELLINGHAM - Coming off two big upsets, the Pirates ran into a sharp-shooting Whatcom team Monday night who put them in a hole they couldn't quite dig out of. The Orcas were on fire in the first half and built a 48-29 lead at halftime. The Pirates chipped away at that lead throughout the second half and it was anyone's game in the final minute, but the hosts put it away at the free throw line to win 72-69. Sam Flett posted a career-high 27 points and 7 rebounds, Britney Yamane had a nice game with 14 points, 3 assists and no turnovers, and Krystal Tolliver, who has been coming on strong over the last week, added 11 points and 3 assists. Whatcom outrebounded PC 52-35 and outshot the Pirates 45% to 36%. Peninsula (3-3, 7-8) travel to first place Everett on Wednesday. Pete's Week yields two huge victories for Pirates PORT ANGELES – The Pirates played giant-killers this week, upsetting conference front-runners Skagit Valley and North Seattle. Following a thrilling 63-61 win over the Cardinals on Wednesday, the Pirates stormed past North Seattle to win 67-59 in overtime before a big Peninsula crowd on Saturday to conclude Pirate Pete's Week, Peninsula's annual spirit week celebration. In a game that saw the lead change hands eight times and the score knotted 10 times, the Pirates found themselves with the ball, the score tied at 56 and 20 seconds remaining on the clock. Seattle’s defense prevented the PC women from getting off a game-winning shot, sending the game into overtime, and then Sam Flett and Krystal Tolliver put it out of reach. Flett buried a 3-point shot from the wing and Tolliver went 4/4 from the free throw line as the Pirates converted on 8 of 9 from the charity stripe in the OT period to put it out of reach. A fierce Pirate defense, led by Bethany Holt, Britney Yamane and Sam Flett, kept the Storm at bay throughout most of the first half, as Seattle didn’t convert a field goal for more than nine minutes. The Pirates were led by the 21 points, 13 rebounds and 2 blocked shots from Brittany Bridges, 11 from Tolliver, 9 from Flett, 8 from Wilson and 7 from Brianna Allen. The Pirates outrebounded Seattle 46-37 and committed five fewer turnovers (24-19). Peninsula, now 3-2 and 7-7, travel to Whatcom on Monday night and then to Everett on Wednesday. The Everett women now lead the North Division, thanks to Peninsula’s two victories this week. Pirates upset Skagit Valley 63-61 PORT ANGELES - Bethany Holt scored at the buzzer and the gym sending the PC bench and the crowd into a frenzy as the Pirates shocked North Division powerhouse Skagit Valley 63-61 Wednesday night. The Cardinals held a 61-58 lead with time winding down when sophomore guard Brianna Allen stuck a 3-pointer from the corner with 11.8 seconds remaining. Skagit Valley put up a shot and missed, and Brittany Bridges rebounded with 5.8 showing on the clock. She found Holt streaking behind the Cardinal defense, passed the ball ahead, just over the finger tips of a Skagit Valley defender, and Holt layed it off the glass at the buzzer. The Pirates led most of the first half and took a 29-27 lead into the break, but Skagit Valley rallied in the second half and led by as much as 6 down the stretch. Britney Yamane led a balanced PC attack with 14, Sam Flett had 13 points, 7 rebounds and neared the school record in assists with 9, Kathleen Wilson scored 10, Allen 9 and Holt had 8 points and 4 steals. The Pirates (2-2, 6-7) host league-leading North Seattle on Saturday. Pirates fall at Olympic BREMERTON - The injury-plagued Peninsula women dropped their second straight North Division game, falling 75-64 to the Rangers at Olympic. Brittany Bridges led PC with 15 points and 14 rebounds, Sam Flett, hampered with an injury to her right knee, had 11 points, 14 boards and 5 assists and Britney Yamane chipped in 11 points as well. Brianna Allen and Kathleen Wilson scored 9 each and the Pirates outrebounded Olympic 50-37, but it was poor shooting that spelled their demise. The Rangers shot 46 percent from the floor and 47 percent from behind the arc, while the Pirates made 37 percent of their field goal attempts, but were ice cold from 3-point range, hitting only 2 of 19 for 10.5 percent. The Pirates (1-2, 5-7) return home to take on North Division front runners Skagit Valley (3-1) Wednesday and Seattle (3-0) Saturday. Chilly night for PC women in home setback PORT ANGELES - Some winter air crept into the PC gym Wednesday, as the Pirates shot a chilly 22 percent in a 66-35 loss to the Bellevue Bulldogs. The BCC women also outrebounded the Pirates 45-29. Sam Flett led Peninsula with 10 and Bethany Holt and Kathleen Wilson had 6 each in a game the Pirates (5-6, 1-1) will have to put behind them and move on to tackle Olympic on Saturday. Pirates open North with romp at Shoreline SHORELINE - The PC women rocked Shoreline 77-45 Wednesday, opening North Division play with their fourth straight victory. The Pirates bolted out to a 43-22 halftime lead and cruised, as everyone played and everyone contributed to the win. Sam Flett led with 20 points, 5 assists and 4 steals, Britney Yamane had 11, Bethany Holt 9 points and 5 steals, Kathleen Wilson 9 points and 4 steals, Brittany Bridges 9 points and 8 rebounds, Tina Knight 6 points and Krystal Tolliver 4 points and 5 steals. The Pirates (1-0, 5-5) are home Wednesday against Bellevue. Pirates subdue Gators 85-61 AUBURN - The Pirates surprised a good Green River team 85-61 Saturday in their final game of the pre-season. Kathleen Wilson led with 21 points and 5 steals, Sam Flett had 19 points and 7 rebounds, Britney Yamane 14 points and 4 assists, Bethany Holt 11 points and 6 assists and Brittany Bridges 11 points and 5 rebounds. The injury-plagued PC women wrapped up non-conference play with a 4-5 record. Pirates sink Clippers PORT ANGELES - The Pirates stepped up their defensive pressure in the final 12 minutes and dominated the boards throughout in a 70-57 non-conference win over South Puget Sound Saturday. The PC women outrebounded the Clippers 54-28, but found themselves trailing midway through the second half when Kathleen Wilson caught fire and her entire team lit up with her. Wilson finished with 20 points, Brittany Bridges added 16 points and 8 rebounds, Bethany Holt played her heart out at both ends, scoring 12 points, pulling down 13 rebounds, blocking four shots and coming up with four steals, Britney Yamane added 11 points and Kaylee Baumstark 8. It was the second straight win for the PC women who close out non-conference play Dec. 29 at Green River. PC women blow out Portland PORTLAND - Kathleen Wilson poured in a career high 28 points, including 6 3s, and Sam Flett added 17 points and 9 rebounds as the Pirates dismantled Portland 64-46 Monday afternoon. Wilson, a sophomore guard from Clallam Bay, came within one 3-point field goal of the school record for 3s in a game. Brittany Bridges chipped in 7 points and 11 rebounds, Britney Yamane led in assists with 4, while Krystal Tolliver, Flett and Wilson had 3 each. The Pirates, now 2-5 in non-conference play, host South Puget Sound at 5:00 Saturday. Pirates drop heartbreaker GRESHAM, OR - The PC women were knocked out of the Mt. Hood South Region Crossover Tournament Saturday in a 54-53 heartbreaking loss to Treasure Valley. The Pirates appeared to be on their way to victory, leading 23-16 at the half and building a 32-22 lead in the second half, but the Treasure Valley women capitalized on an injury-plagued PC team to come from behind to steal the win. Kathleen Wilson led Peninsula with 23 points and Brittany Bridges had 17 points and 8 rebounds. In Friday's tournament opener against the host Mt. Hood women, the Pirates trailed by 7 at the half, but fell behind in the second half in a 69-46 setback. The Pirates were down by only 3 points with six minutes to go, but Mt. Hood capitalized when PC's Brittany Bridges and Sam Flett fould out of the contest at the 5 minute mark. Both Bridges and Flett played limited minutes due to early foul trouble. Britney Yamane was the only PC player in double figures, finishing with 10, while Alyssa Greene finished with 7. The Pirates take on Portland at 3:00 Monday in a make-up of a game that was postponed due to flooding. Portland game postponed PORTLAND - The flooding that closed Interstate 5 has forced postponement of Wednesday's game at Portland. The two colleges are hoping to make up the game and will announce a date as soon as it is determined. The Pirates will see their next action at 8:00 on Dec. 14 against Mt. Hood at the NWAACC South Crossover Tournament in Mt. Hood. Snow shortens Malaspina Tournament NANAIMO, B.C. - A snow storm forced cancellation of the Malaspina after the first round was completed. In that first-round game, Langara got by the PC women 62-56. Sam Flett led the Pirates with 12 points and 8 rebounds, Kathleen Wilson was 2/2 from 3-point range and finished with 11, while Bethany Holt and Brittany Bridges had 10 each. Britney Yamane had 5 assists. PC women fall at Mt. Hood
GRESHAM, OR - The Pirates got a bad taste of Oregon basketball last weekend, falling in two games at the Mt. Hood Thanksgiving Invitational. The PC women opened the tournament against Clackamas, eventually falling to the tough Cougar squad 79-66. Sophomore Kathleen Wilson poured in 21 points, freshman Britney Yamane had 15 points and 5 assists and Brittany Bridges chipped in 10 points and 6 rebounds. On Saturday against Blue Mountain, the PC women suffered from injuries and foul trouble and fell in a heartbreaker, 74-73. Bridges led with 23 points, Yamane scored 16 and Wilson also hit double figures with 13. The 1-2 Pirates will cross another border Friday when they travel to Nanaimo, British Columbia, for a three-day tournament.
Pirates open with win over Tacoma
PORT ANGELES - Freshmen Brittany Bridges, Britney Yaname and Sam Flett all scored in double figures leading the young PC women to a season-opening victory over Tacoma Friday. Bridges, a 5-10 post out of Bishop Gorman High in Nevada, led with 17 points and 9 rebounds, while Yamane scored 12 points and also pulled down 9 boards from her guard position and Flett finished with 11 points, 8 boards and 5 assists. The Pirates, who had balanced scoring with 8 each from Jamie Brown and Kathleen Wilson, and 7 each from Krystal Tolliver and Bethany Holt, overwhelmed TCC, opening up a 20-point lead with a tenacious defense and coasting through much of the second half. The Pirates outrebounded the Titans 66-46. The PC women will travel to the Mt. Hood Invitational in Gresham Oregon where they open againt Clackamas at 2:00 on Friday. Coach Darling finalizes recruiting class
PORT ANGELES, Washington (June 13, 2007) — Peninsula College head coach Tiffany Darling announced today that Brittany Bridges has committed to play for the Pirates, finalizing the 2007-08 recruiting class. Bridges, a 5-10 wing from Las Vegas, Nevada, prepped at 4A Bishop Gorman High School. Bishop Gorman, winners of back-to-back state titles, was ranked second on the west coast and fifteenth in the nation this past season, finishing with a 31-2 overall record. As a starter surrounded by an elite cast, Brittany averaged eight points and four rebounds per game and shot 57% from the field and 77% from the free throw line. “I am extremely excited to have a player of Brittany’s caliber join our program. She is a very strong, versatile athlete that has the ability to play multiple positions,” Darling said. “There is no question that she will bring a winning mentality to PC. Brittany was the final piece of the puzzle for us!” Bridges is the third incoming athlete in the Pirates’ 2007-08 recruiting class with a state title to her name and the ninth player on the projected 2007-08 roster to have played in the state tournament during her high school career. “This recruiting class wants to win and knows how to win; they are excited about the challenge of turning this program around. I expect Brittany to be one of the leaders in that quest.” Peninsula, which plays in the Northwest Athletic Association of Community College's (NWAACC) North Division, had a 13-12 overall record last year, Darling's first year at the helm. The Pirates narrowly missed an NWAACC tournament appearance. PC returns its two leading scorers, second team all-conference selection Brooke Helpenstell (5-10, wing/post, Port Angeles) and guard Kathleen Wilson (5-5, guard, Clallam Bay).
Bridges is one of ten members of Peninsula's 2007-08 recruiting class. The others are Ayla Brown (5-8 guard, Wasilla, Alaska), Jamie Brown (5-8 guard, Wasilla, Alaska), Damaris Craig (6-0 post, Kenai, Alaska), Tina Knight (5-6 guard, Anchorage, Alaska), Samantha Flett (5-6 guard, Wellpinit, Wash.), Brittany Heilman (6-1 wing, Seattle), Britney Yamane (5-8 guard, Warden, Wash.), Ashlee Harter (5-10 wing/post, Myrtle Creek, Ore.) and Kaylee Baumstark (5-9 wing/post, Port Angeles). Pirates add 5 more to roster PORT ANGELES, Washington (May 22, 2007)— Peninsula College women’s basketball has added five more players to the 2007-08 roster as announced by head coach Tiffany Darling. Joining the Pirates’ squad next year will be Samantha Flett, Britney Yamane, Brittany Heilman, Ashlee Harter, and Kaylee Baumstark. These five incoming athletes will join a standout class of four Alaska signees announced last week by Darling – Ayla Brown (5-8 guard, Wasilla, AK), Jamie Brown (5-8 guard, Wasilla, AK), Damaris Craig (6-0 post, Kenai, AK), and Tina Knight (5-6 shooting guard, Anchorage, AK). “I couldn’t be happier with this recruiting class; it is a nucleus that should complement our returners exceptionally well. I went out looking for great basketball players, great students, great people, and WINNERS. I found exactly what I was looking for!” Adding depth to the already strong backcourt is Samantha Flett and Britney Yamane. Flett is a 5-6 guard from 2B Wellpinit High School in Eastern Washington. Scoring 1,535 points in her high school career, Sam was a 4-year varsity letterman, 3-time all-Panorama League pick, and a 2-time All State selection. A multi-sport athlete, Sam was also an all-Panorama League selection in cross country and volleyball. Currently, she is carrying a 3.5 cumulative grade point average and is salutatorian for her senior class, all while being the ASB President. “Sam has the potential to contribute immediately in our program. She is an extremely strong, athletic combo guard. She has a great feel for the game and makes savvy decisions. Sam has the strength to rebound from the perimeter, the athleticism to break down a defender, and the basketball IQ to make reads against pressure. I couldn’t be happier that she chose to be a Pirate.” Yamane, a 5-8 guard and former stand-out for Coach Darling at 1A Warden High School, will also join the Pirates. Averaging 15 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals per game her senior season, Britney was a 2-time Tri-City Herald “Super 6” selection and first team all-South Central Athletic Conference pick. In the Tri-City Herald season preview she was selected as the best ball handler and shooter in the conference. A team captain and 4-year varsity starter, she was a Tri-City Herald Athlete-of-the-Week recipient and played in the All-State game. Her team qualified for the district play-offs all four years, securing a district title for the first time in school history her freshman season, and the state tournament three years, placing eighth her junior season. She is also a standout in the classroom posting a 3.5 cumulative GPA. “Having played in my system for a year, I expect her to be a leader for us as a freshman. She knows and respects the demands and expectations I place on my student-athletes—she knows my coaching philosophy, how I communicate, how I motivate— which should help to create a seamless transition for her. I am excited about the opportunity to coach Brit again; she is the type of student-athlete and person that has the potential to bring this program to the next level.” Adding some size for the Pirates frontcourt is Brittany Heilman, Ashlee Harter and Kaylee Baumstark. Heilman, a 6-1 wing, is originally from Port Angeles and will be back in the area to play with former AAU teammates Brooke Helpenstell, Kathleen Wilson, and Brianna Allen. She played her freshman season at 4A Mariner High School and finished her career at 4A Monroe High School. In her freshman campaign, she was a member of the “Fab Five” and an honorable mention all-Wesco North selection. In her sophomore season at Monroe, she helped lead her team to a fifth place finish in the state tournament en route to earning second team all-Wesco North honors. Her junior season, she was again named honorable mention all-Wesco North while her team brought home a seventh place trophy from the state tournament. “After taking this last year off, Brittany has been playing open gym and lifting weights with us this spring. She continues to become more and more dominant as she works the rust off and gets physically stronger and back into shape. She is going to present several mismatches next season. At 6-1, she is not a traditional back to the basket post; she likes to run the floor in transition and likes being on the perimeter facing the basket knocking down shots from 12-15 feet. Our goal during the summer and pre-season is to get her comfortable putting the ball on the floor from the perimeter and developing her game on the block. If she becomes a dual threat, she will be extremely tough to stop.” Harter, a 5-10 wing/post, prepped at 4A South Umpqua High School in Myrtle Creek, Oregon. She was a captain and an honorable mention all-Far West League selection her senior year. Ashlee is a three-sport athlete, competing in cross country and track & field in addition to basketball. She was a 2-time all-Far West League pick in cross country. Ashlee was Athlete of the Month recipient on several occasions and was selected as the Most Outstanding Student-Athlete among her senior class. She currently holds a 3.2 cumulative GPA. “What I like about Ashlee is that she values the importance of winning; she played an integral role in turning around the program at South Umpqua. She is a versatile athlete that can run the floor well. She is determined to improve and I am confident that she will put in the time to get better. I think she's just scratching the surface as to where she could be.” Baumstark, a 5-9 wing/post from 3A Port Angeles HS, is the lone local product to join the Pirates next season. She is a 3-sport athlete, competing in volleyball and track and field in addition to basketball. She is currently maintaining a 3.0 cumulative GPA. “Kaylee’s physical strength will be a huge asset for us. She’s not afraid to battle in the paint defensively or on the boards, both are areas that we definitely needed to address with this recruiting class. She wants to be a part of our program and she wants to get better; we are excited to have her join the Pirate family.” The Pirates finished the 2006-07 season with a 13-12 overall record under first-year head coach Tiffany Darling, just narrowly missing a NWAACC tournament appearance. PC returns its two leading scorers, second team all-conference selection Brooke Helpenstell (5-10 wing/post, Port Angeles) and Kathleen Wilson (5-6 guard, Clallam Bay). “I am realistic enough to know that a lot can happen from now until then,” referring to the first scrimmage of the season Wednesday, Nov. 7 At Northwest University. “I feel good, however, about the quality of student-athletes that we have brought in and in the foundation our returners have built. The future of PC women’s basketball should prove to be exciting!”
Four from Alaska join Pirates PORT ANGELES, Washington (May 14, 2007)—The Pirates closed out the 2006-07 NWAACC basketball season under first-year head coach Tiffany Darling with a winning record and one spot out of a trip to the NWAACC Tournament. If Darling has anything to do about it, sitting on the outside looking in on the playoff hunt will not be where the Pirates are at the beginning of March next season. They will be right in the thick of things. PC returns its two leading scorers, second team all-conference selection Brooke Helpenstell (5-10 wing/post, Port Angeles) and Kathleen Wilson (5-6 guard, Clallam Bay). Helpenstell looks to be even more dominant than her 15 point, nine rebound per game average this season and Wilson looks to consistently fill up the stat sheet beyond her 14 point, four rebound per game average. Also expected to return will be Brianna Allen (5-6 guard, Port Angeles) who earned 15 starts and averaged eight points per game and Bethany Holt (5-9 wing, Anchorage, AK) who recorded five points and five rebounds per game. Stephanie McGarvie (5-3, guard, Port Angeles) who saw limited action and red-shirt Janu Orega (6-0 post, Nairobi, Kenya) are also expected to return. After being in my program for a year, I expect our returners to bring a great deal of leadership and pride to the foundation that we have started to build, setting the standard for our incoming players. My expectation is that they are committed to putting in the time to assure that their careers at PC end at the NWAACC Tournament.” Among the talented backcourt joining the program from Alaska is Ayla Brown, Jamie Brown, and Tina Knight. Ayla Brown is a 5-8 guard from Wasilla High School in Wasilla, Alaska. In Ayla’s 4-year varsity career, her team amassed a 103-14 record and reached the “final four” each year. Wasilla, winners of 89 conference games in a row, has earned four straight region titles and most recently the 4A State Title. Ayla is a 2-time team captain, Player of the Game recipient in the first round of the 2007 State Tournament and member of the 2007 All-State team. She is also a standout in the classroom posting a 3.65 cumulative GPA. “Ayla has the potential to contribute immediately in my program. What I like about Ayla is that she knows what it takes to build a winning program; she is from one of the winningest programs in the state of Alaska coached by Jeannie Hebert-Truax. Ayla is the kind of student-athlete and person that I am trying to build this entire program around. Defensively, Ayla couldn’t fit into my system any better, I expect her to be one of the best defenders in the Division. I see her playing at the 2 or 3 for us due to her athleticism in transition.” Jamie Brown, 5-8 guard and older sister of Ayla, will also join the Pirates. Jamie will have just one year of eligibility with the Pirates as she is a transfer from Division II University of Alaska Anchorage. UAA is coming off a 23-6 season in which they finished Great Northwest Athletic Conference runner-up and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Div. II Tournament. At Wasilla HS, Jamie was starting point guard and team captain for two years while being selected to the Northern Lights Railbelt Conference All-Tournament team. Wasilla placed 2nd in state her sophomore year, 3rd her junior year and 5th her senior year. She earned a cumulative 3.76 GPA in high school and a 3.23 the past two years at UAA. “Jamie knows how to win, she won at Wasilla and she won at UAA. She comes to us with a year of Div. II experience and wealth of maturity and leadership. I see Jamie challenging for our starting point guard position because of her court awareness, understanding of the game, and her ability to mentor and lead. I also see her getting some minutes at the 2 or 3 for us due to her ability to run the floor and rebound from the perimeter.” Tina Knight is a 5-6 shooting guard from Dimond High School in Anchorage, Alaska. She has proven that she knows how to win as she was a captain of the 2006-07 State Title Team at Dimond. Tina is also a standout in the classroom posting a 3.7 cumulative GPA and will graduate with honors this spring. “Tina is a quintessential student-athlete. She comes from a perennial powerhouse at Dimond coached by Jim Young. Tina can flat out shoot the ball; she has the potential to be a great combo guard for us. I expect her to put in a lot of time this summer to bring her game to the next level. In my opinion, her best basketball is still ahead of her.” Adding some size for the Pirates is Damaris Craig, 6-0 post from Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska. Damaris, a 2-time team captain, averaged 10 points per game, 7.5 rebounds per game, and 2 blocked shots per game in her senior season. Currently, Damaris has a 3.4 cumulative GPA. “I saw Damaris play for the first time at the Alaska Exposure Camp directed by Coach Young and immediately liked what she would bring to the table for us. She has great hands, can finish with her left or right hand with contact, rebounds well, and can shoot it from 10-12 feet. Her potential is unlimited, I’m excited to see her grow and develop over the course of her two years in a Pirate uniform.” Darling is still on the lookout for one more post player to finalize her recruiting class. “We had needs to fulfill with this recruiting class and I feel as though we satisfied those needs and then some. We are just one additional post with some size away from being very dangerous. Maybe I can find that post somewhere in Alaska!” Darling says with a grin. See scores and standings: www.nwaacc.org
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