Local roundup: PC picks up first win

The Porterville College men’s basketball is now 1-4 as it continues its tough early season schedule, but the Pirates can be encouraged after picking up their first win of the season at the San Diego City Tournament.

PC won its first game of the year, beating Palomar 73-67 on Saturday and then concluded play in the tournament with a heartbreaking 77-76 loss to Cypress. It was a huge weekend for Mikey Hildalgo, who took over at point guard for Donald Lee, who suffered a foot injury on Friday and missed the rest of the tournament. Hildalgo logged more than 35 minutes a game over the weekend and had a three-game stretch where he scored 34, 23 and 20 points.

Against Palomar, PC led 33-19 at halftime, but Palomar came back to take the lead in the second half. But Jason Carmichael went on to convert a three-point play with the game tied to give PC the lead late. Porterville went on to build an eight-point lead and held on for the win. “It was definitely a battle,” PC coach T.J. Jennings said.

Hildalgo scored 23 points, Carmichael had 20 points and Kameron Hoyt added 11 points for PC.

Against Cypress, PC trailed 49-37 at halftime, but came back to take a five-point lead with two minutes left before Cypress hit a three-pointer to pull to within two. Cypress then led 77-76 when with a half second left, Porterville set up an inbound play on the baseline.

The ball was lobbed into the lane to Carmichael, but his shot went in and out at the buzzer.

Carmichael took over in the second half, scoring 20 of his 27 points. Hildalgo added 20 points and Hoyt had 11 points. Jordan Wilkinson also had a strong game on the boards for PC with 11 rebounds.

VICTOR VALLEY 68, PC WOMEN 65

Porterville College’s (3-5) sustained a heartbreaking loss to end the Barstow Tournament on Saturday. PC trailed 66-65 when it forced a turnover with its pressure with 18 seconds left. Kee’Maya Snowden then missed a jumper, rebounded her own miss, but couldn’t convert on the putback for PC. Porterville then was forced to foul and Victor Valley made both foul shots for the final margin as the Pirates missed a desperation half court shot at the buzzer.

Porterville was hurt by the fact it didn’t take advantage of its advantage at the foul line in the second half. PC was 13-of-22 from the line in the second half and 16-for-28 overall. PC was also hurt by the absence of Maribel Bravo, who missed the second half with a sprained ankle. Porterville was also already without post player Tanzania Dunn, who missed the tournament with a knee injury.

“We were really outmanned inside when Maribel sat out in the second half,” PC Coach Dave Kavern said.

Carmen Millan and Regine Mecanario each scored 12 points, Bethany Reed had eight points and Eva Gutierrez and Bravo each added seven points for PC. “We’re making some progress,” Kavern said.

VOLLEYBALL

The Porterville College women’s volleyball team (16-7) received the No. 13 seed in the Northern Calfornia State Playoffs and will travel to No. 4 seed Foothill (19-6) for a first round match on Tuesday.

If PC can upset Foothill, it would face the winner between No. 5 Delta (18-8) and No. 12 Gavilan (16-10). If the Pirates can win two matches, it would likely face NorCal’s No. 1 seed, Cabrillo (25-1) for the right to play in the State Final Four. Porterville did take a game against Cabrillo early in the season before losing to Cabrillo in four games.

The Porterville College men’s basketball is now 1-4 as it continues its tough early season schedule, but the Pirates can be encouraged after picking up their first win of the season at the San Diego City Tournament.

PC won its first game of the year, beating Palomar 73-67 on Saturday and then concluded play in the tournament with a heartbreaking 77-76 loss to Cypress. It was a huge weekend for Mikey Hildalgo, who took over at point guard for Donald Lee, who suffered a foot injury on Friday and missed the rest of the tournament. Hildalgo logged more than 35 minutes a game over the weekend and had a three-game stretch where he scored 34, 23 and 20 points.

Against Palomar, PC led 33-19 at halftime, but Palomar came back to take the lead in the second half. But Jason Carmichael went on to convert a three-point play with the game tied to give PC the lead late. Porterville went on to build an eight-point lead and held on for the win.

“It was definitely a battle,” PC coach T.J. Jennings said.

Hildalgo scored 23 points, Carmichael had 20 points and Kameron Hoyt added 11 points for PC.

Against Cypress, PC trailed 49-37 at halftime, but came back to take a five-point lead with two minutes left before Cypress hit a three-pointer to pull to within two. Cypress then led 77-76 when with a half second left, Porterville set up an inbound play on the baseline.

The ball was lobbed into the lane to Carmichael, but his shot went in and out at the buzzer.

Carmichael took over in the second half, scoring 20 of his 27 points. Hildalgo added 20 points and Hoyt had 11 points. Jordan Wilkinson also had a strong game on the boards for PC with 11 rebounds.

VICTOR VALLEY 68, PC WOMEN 65

Porterville College’s (3-5) sustained a heartbreaking loss to end the Barstow Tournament on Saturday. PC trailed 66-65 when it forced a turnover with its pressure with 18 seconds left. Kee’Maya Snowden then missed a jumper, rebounded her own miss, but couldn’t convert on the putback for PC. Porterville then was forced to foul and Victor Valley made both foul shots for the final margin as the Pirates missed a desperation half court shot at the buzzer.

Porterville was hurt by the fact it didn’t take advantage of its advantage at the foul line in the second half. PC was 13-of-22 from the line in the second half and 16-for-28 overall. PC was also hurt by the absence of Maribel Bravo, who missed the second half with a sprained ankle. Porterville was also already without post player Tanzania Dunn, who missed the tournament with a knee injury.

“We were really outmanned inside when Maribel sat out in the second half,” PC Coach Dave Kavern said.

Carmen Millan and Regine Mecanario each scored 12 points, Bethany Reed had eight points and Eva Gutierrez and Bravo each added seven points for PC. “We’re making some progress,” Kavern said.

VOLLEYBALL

The Porterville College women’s volleyball team (16-7) received the No. 13 seed in the Northern Calfornia State Playoffs and will travel to No. 4 seed Foothill (19-6) for a first round match on Tuesday.

If PC can upset Foothill, it would face the winner between No. 5 Delta (18-8) and No. 12 Gavilan (16-10). If the Pirates can win two matches, it would likely face NorCal’s No. 1 seed, Cabrillo (25-1) for the right to play in the State Final Four. Porterville did take a game against Cabrillo early in the season before losing to Cabrillo in four games.