Samantha Meyers
The 2009 basketball season has come to a close. The PJC men and women’s basketball teams played for the last time Feb. 21 at home. Fans cheered on the Pirates as they watched the women defeat Tallahassee Community College by a 40 point spread, 93-53. The PJC men did not fare as well; Tallahassee swiped the win within the last few minutes ending the game, 85-77.
“The last two games we played, not everyone was on the same page, but there was just something about tonight and we had our minds set on finishing strong,” said freshman guard Deana Allen.
The Lady Pirates played with a dominating force that could not be stopped. The Eagles fell from the start, allowing the PJC women’s team to tear up the gym floor. Three players each scored 21 points, NEED NAMES leaving PJC with a comfortable lead.
During the men’s game, the Pirates and Eagles battled it out for the win. The game was back and forth from the start, with the score tied 36-all at halftime. The night was filled with great plays from the Pirates and the Eagles, but PJC could not keep control of the score board. The Eagles got ahead and stayed ahead during the final minutes of the game, ending the game 85-77.
Both PJC men’s and women’s teams had a rocky 2008-09 season. The women at one point were ranked first in the state, while third in the nation. They ended the season 5-7 in conference play and 22-8 overall. They were one game away from securing a state tournament berth. But the team was still ranked fifth in the state as of Feb. 17.
The men’s team finished last, 2-10, in what many say is the toughest conference in the nation. Chipola, the conference champion, is also ranked No. 1 in the nation. But the Pirates still finished with a winning season overall, 18-12.