Pirates reach .500 mark

The Porterville College men’s basketball team reached a couple of benchmarks in their 65-64 win over Los Medanos on Tuesday at the Modesto Tournament.

With the win, PC reached the .500 mark on the season as it has gone 5-2 in its last seven games and is now 6-6 on the season. The Pirates were also able to come through down the stretch to win a close game, something that Porterville has struggled with in the last couple of years. 

“This is one time that we executed and got the job done,” PC coach T.J. Jennings said.

Jason Carmichael scored just six points for PC, but four of those six points came in the last 30 seconds. Carmichael scored with 30 seconds left to give PC a 63-62 lead, its first lead of the game since Miguel Perez hit 1-of-2 free throws to give Porterville a 1-0 lead. 

Los Medanos scored with 15 seconds left to take a 64-63.

Kameron Hoyt then found Carmichael on a backdoor cut to the basket. Despite a lot of contact, Jennings said, Carmichael was able to finish to score to give PC a 65-64 lead with 2.3 seconds left and the Pirates held on after Los Medanos missed a desperation shot.

Los Medanos used a zone defense to limit the outside shooting of the likes of Carmichael, Mikey Hidalgo and Hoyt. Hidalgo scored eight points and Hoyt added seven points.

But Jordan Wilkinson was able to take advantage inside, leading PC with 23 points. 

“Jordan did a good job down low,” Jennings said.

Porterville was able to overcome a 14-point deficit to come back for the win. 

“I definitely proud of how we battled,” Jennings said.

PC will next play host Modesto at 8 p.m. Thursday.

The Porterville College men’s basketball team reached a couple of benchmarks in their 65-64 win over Los Medanos on Tuesday at the Modesto Tournament.

With the win, PC reached the .500 mark on the season as it has gone 5-2 in its last seven games and is now 6-6 on the season. The Pirates were also able to come through down the stretch to win a close game, something that Porterville has struggled with in the last couple of years. 

“This is one time that we executed and got the job done,” PC coach T.J. Jennings said.

Jason Carmichael scored just six points for PC, but four of those six points came in the last 30 seconds. Carmichael scored with 30 seconds left to give PC a 63-62 lead, its first lead of the game since Miguel Perez hit 1-of-2 free throws to give Porterville a 1-0 lead. 

Los Medanos scored with 15 seconds left to take a 64-63.

Kameron Hoyt then found Carmichael on a backdoor cut to the basket. Despite a lot of contact, Jennings said, Carmichael was able to finish to score to give PC a 65-64 lead with 2.3 seconds left and the Pirates held on after Los Medanos missed a desperation shot.

Los Medanos used a zone defense to limit the outside shooting of the likes of Carmichael, Mikey Hidalgo and Hoyt. Hidalgo scored eight points and Hoyt added seven points.

But Jordan Wilkinson was able to take advantage inside, leading PC with 23 points. 

“Jordan did a good job down low,” Jennings said.

Porterville was able to overcome a 14-point deficit to come back for the win. 

“I definitely proud of how we battled,” Jennings said.

PC will next play host Modesto at 8 p.m. Thursday.