by: Alex Madrid
Hope and excitement is in the air at Pensacola State College (PSC) as the men’s basketball team has been heating up and currently stands at a 4-1 record to start the season. The residents of this town along with students couldn’t have been more ready for the home opener that took place on November 1st against Santa Fe College, marking the start of the 2024-2025 season. Pirates took down the saints 80-64 in a statement win.
With a talented new roster and a fresh emphasis on discipline and teamwork, Head Coach Pete Pena and his team have their sights set squarely on winning the State title. Following a difficult campaign in which the Pirates were eliminated from playoff contention, Coach Pena and his staff have been putting in a lot of effort to restructure and fortify his squad this past offseason. Bringing in very talented guys from all over the country. “We have a chance to be very special this year, and when our freshmen mature it will all come together,” he said during a recent speech. Assistant Coaches Dylan Brown stated, “We have all the pieces to be great and win a State title, I don’t see how any team could match up with us, especially with our shooting ability.”
Not only does the Pensacola roster have fresh new talent, but they have a core group of returners that hold this team together, not only with their play but with their leadership. Just ask Sophomores Dimitri Clerc and Isaiah Sutherland. Dimitri is a 6’10” Center from Geneva, Switzerland. Known for his power and high motor, Dimitri has earned many Division 1 scholarships and is looking to have a monster season for the Pirates. Dimitri claims, “We are playing for something bigger than us, this isn’t about ‘I’, it’s about ‘we’ this season.” Isaiah Sutherland, a 6’7” forward from Orlando, Florida who has picked up lots of Division 1 interest recently, says “This team’s chemistry is very strong, and we would do anything for each other on and off the court which makes this team special and different from the past couple of seasons.”
These two sophomores not only bring the size but leadership it takes to win in the Panhandle Conference. They have been looking to lead their young team this year and provide that needed spark for the Pirates.
The Pensacola community’s support has been evident off the court. Since the Pirates have a devoted fan base, the college has made several announcements to improve game-day experiences and increase attendance this season. Now everyone has something to look forward to for the rest of fall. The athletic teams of Pensacola State College participate in the National Junior College Athletic Association’s Region 8 Panhandle Conference of the Florida College System Activities Association.
The Pirates intend to make a deep run in the tournament and will take on strong opponents in the Panhandle Conference, including the conference champions of last season, Chipola College. The NJCAA championship is attainable, and the team has a good chance of winning if they can come through on their talent and team dynamic.
As the countdown to the playoffs begins, excitement for what seems to be an amazing PSC basketball run grows as the Pirates recently defeated the number 1 ranked team in Florida, Daytona State. This win is only the beginning for this new and improved team. The Pirates’ supporters are eager to follow the team’s adventure as they prepare to face some more great matchups on the court and demonstrate that they have what it takes to contend for a championship.