By Barron Demons
After a remarkable start, the Pirates walk off the court for the final time this season.
Head Coach Clenita “Penny” Belford and her team looked unbeatable to start the season.
The Pirates, in their first 16 games, went 16-0 and were ranked number 10 in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA).
Over that span, the Pirates averaged 83.9 points per game (ppg) and has been the best start and record in the Belford era, who became the head coach in 2014.
Standing in the way of a perfect season was conference play, and it didn’t go as well as the Pirates hoped.
To begin conference play, the Pirates hosted Northwest Florida State College (NWFSC).
The game had many thrilling moments, needing overtime to be determined. NWFSC eventually pulled away and defeated the Pirates, resulting in PSC starting (0-1) in conference play.
The next two conference games, the Pirates split, losing to Gulf Coast State College (GCSC) and beating Chipola College.
Starting Jan. 20, the PSC Pirates went on a seven game losing streak. They finally found their winning ways and beat Chipola College on Feb. 21, ending their seven game skid.
On the road in their final game of the season on Feb. 24, the Lady Pirates fell to Tallahassee Community College (TCC) 71-69. The Pirates kept the score close the entire game, with their largest deficit being only five points.
The Pirates tied the game with seconds left in the fourth quarter when Mylashia Yancey made a critical shot to tie the game 69-69. The Eagles stormed up the court after the Yancey made shot, and Juliunn Redmond answered with a shot of her own. The shot went in at the buzzer, and the Eagles squeezed by the Pirates in a nail-biter.
Four of five starters scored double digits for the Pirates, led by Ta’Sheanne Armstrong who tallied 14 points.
The leading scorers for the season were Naterria Luster, who averaged 12.9 ppg, followed by Nia Johnson who averaged 12.4.
Coach Belford will be losing all five starters and eight total players as they move on from Lady Pirate basketball. Those players include: Ahyiona Vason, Ta’Sheanne Armstrong, Nia Johnson, Naterria Luster, Aminat Jubril, Kaloni Pryear, Tyana Porter and Mylashia Yancey.
The Lady Pirates had a season to remember and will look to continue their ascending future next season.