OLYMPIA — It was a memorable weekend for Peninsula College head men’s basketball coach Mitch Freeman and his two families.
Coach Freeman was at his wife Nicole’s side for the birth of their second son last week as baby Gavin was welcomed into the family — and then he traveled to Olympia where his basketball family won the Northwest Athletic Conference Grays Harbor Crossover Tournament, held at South Puget Sound Community College.
It was Peninsula College’s first Crossover Tournament win since the 2011 Pirate men won the South Division Crossover in Salem, Oregon.
The Pirates defeated Edmonds 66-56 in Sunday’s championship, following wins over Walla Walla and Grays Harbor to claim the first-place trophy.
Freshman Deonte Dixon was selected as tournament MVP after putting up solid numbers in all three games, but it was a team effort on both sides of the ball, and outstanding team rebounding, that lifted the Pirates to three straight victories.
The Pirates back court duo of Ryley Callaghan and Dixon combined for 41 points to lead the Pirates to victory over Edmonds.
Callaghan of Port Orchard, and Dixon of Bremerton, hit for 21 and 20, respectively.
Malik Mayeux added 10 points and a season-high 16 rebounds.
Jal Deng also had a good night with nine points and 11 boards.
The Pirates outrebounded the Tritons 52-45 in a game that saw both teams shoot poorly on tired legs in their third straight day of competition. Peninsula hit on only 32 percent from the floor and 38 percent from three-point range, while Edmonds was held to 30 percent from the field and no three pointers on 12 attempts.
Peninsula led 29-15 at halftime and held off their fellow North Division opponents to win by 10.
Peninsula improved to 6-5 in non-conference play with one game remaining, at home against Pierce (4-7) at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 30.
The Pirates will then prepare for their conference opener, Saturday, Jan. 10 at home against Edmonds.