February 9, 2016

By Kyle Botermans and Danika Meer

The reality is that it’s been a rough season for Phoenix Pirate Boys basketball. The Pirates had a rough preseason, but an even ruder awakening once conference came around as the competition featured within the Skyline Conference for the 2016 season was fierce.

If there has been one clear, bright spot for the Pirates this season, it has been Thomas Skaff, the junior guard. His athleticism and quickness gives him the opportunity to take the ball to the hoop while his shooting reputation makes him a threat from beyond the arch. He has led the team in points and is tenacious on defense, though his efforts have continually fallen short of producing a victory. Angel Sauceda and Colton Beer were two other guard contributors, but they struggled, ultimately with consistency in the long-run.

Posts Cole George, Drake Knowles and Mase Masalosalo have fought hard to gather rebounds, though offensive rebounds for the opposing team drowned the Pirates in second chance points all year round. Teammate Kyle Botermans hasn’t been able to carry his early success in the year in league play, but his aggressiveness hasn’t faltered. Off the bench, Ricardo Sabino has brought an energetic spark all year, while James Turnbull has been lights out shooting from time to time off the bench as well.

Unlike preseason play, injuries and illness weren’t to blame during conference action. The Pirates fought hard in many of the matchups and came within striking distance in multiple games, but up to this point, have yet to earn a conference win. Hopefully, in the next two games, Phoenix can turn things around and swipe a couple of victories heading into the conference bracket at the end of the year.

Tuesday they take on Mazama there and, for senior night, they play Hidden Valley at home on Friday. To take down these aggressive defenses the team will require a big game from Skaff, but perhaps the key to the games will be the success of the bench. In past games, the Pirates have been able to hang on for the first two quarters, but drop off in the second half. This is why the bench needs to step up big and keep the game in striking distance for the starters, or perhaps even maintain a lead.

It’s been an interesting season with ups and downs paired with twists and turns, but in the end the previous games mean nothing once the league bracket comes around. It’s likely the Pirates will claim the last seed in the bracket meaning they will play a top seed. Could there be an upset in the making? Stay tuned…