Pirates overcome Gulf Coast Community College
October 14, 2009
Lindsey Chavers
Published: January 24, 2006
The men’s basketball team gained a much needed win against Gulf Coast Community College on Jan. 17 with a 93-68 victory.
PJC gained the lead early and went into the second half with a 10-point lead. The Pirates managed to keep the Commodores at bay with a strong offensive attack.
“I didn’t think we played very well really early,” said Head Coach Paul Swanson about how his team played, “but we got into the flow and got some confidence back.”
Thanks to three consecutive successful shots by Luis Buther in the beginning of the second half, the Pirates increased their lead even more. PJC finished the game with two 3-point shots by Miles Taylor and Audrius Zukauskas.
“I think it was a good win for the team,” said Durrell Baker, who made a flashy slam dunk near the end of the game. “We played hard and together.”
This win puts the Pirates 10-11 for the season and 1-3 in conference games.
“We wanted to be 2-2 at this point,” said Swanson. “We wanted to win all our home games, but we have our confidence in shooting back now.”
PJC was aided in their victory by a game-high 25 points from Miles Taylor. Sasha Parghalava added 15 points, fourof which were 3-point shots, and Vernon Carr helped with 13 points and 8 assists.
“We get to enjoy this win,” said Swanson. “But it’s quickly a part of history, and we’re moving on to the next one.”
Flag football ends season
October 14, 2009
Lindsey Chavers
Published: January 8, 2006
The PJC men’s flag football team ended an accomplished season with a trip to the national competition held at the University of West Florida, Dec. 29-31.
“This year’s team could have won and were talented enough to win,” said Doug Rogers, the team’s coach.
But they fell short, only making it to the quarterfinals. “We had a chance with 3 seconds left and we were down by two,” said Rogers. “If the weather and officiating had gone our way we might have won. Our poor play early caused it too.”
In the regional tournament, PJC beat the University of Alabama in the finals, 25-13 giving them entry to the national tournament. They were also runners-up in the state competition.
Lady Pirates prepare for conference
October 14, 2009
Lindsey Chavers
Published: January 8, 2006
The PJC women’s basketball team moved closer to conference games during a two-day tour in Louisiana, Jan. 1-2.
Their first match-up was against Louisiana State University- Eunice, who are on their longest winning streak in history. PJC managed to hold on, and even gained the lead at one point in the second half. But injuries caused the Lady Pirates to fall behind, ending the game, 85-74.
“The way that (LSUE) plays really helped us a lot,” said Head Coach Chanda Rigby. “We thought it was good prep for conference.”
In the next game, PJC faced off against Delgado Community College of New Orleans, La. The Lady Pirates quickly gained the lead and held it to win, 90-46.
“It was good for the bench, because they all got to play,” said Rigby. “Those people who played had point totals in the double digits.”
During the two games, Vitoria Hunt had 8 steals and was 100 percent on free throws. Dominic Sutton contributed 18 rebounds.
The Lady Pirates are now turning their focus to conference games.
“We are unbelievably battling illness and injuries with many of our starters,” said Rigby. “We’ve had to change our game plan because of it right before conference.”
Is your ‘Fantasy’ coming true?
October 14, 2009
Carlus Page
Published: January 8, 2006
So you’ve heard the term “fantasy football” but still aren’t quite sure what it is? Fantasy Football has been played for more than 20 years, becoming ever so popular over the past six.
Curtis Stothers, a U.S. Marine and college student, says he has been playing Fantasy Football since 1995.
“I don’t like how the game has become commercialized. All you’re required to do is sign on and play. You don’t even have to be a football fan,” Stothers said.
ÿFantasy Football allows the ultimate football fan to take an active, personal role in professional football.
“I really enjoy the game and it’s fulfilling to beat all of my friends who think they know it all,” Stothers said.
The fun of Fantasy Football is assuming roles similar to that of NFL personnel. You gain the ownership of your own team with the combined responsibility of a scout and general manager.
During the making of the team the fan must first be a member of a Fantasy League. Leagues are usually formed with 10 to 14 of these fans, who have the freedom of manning their own unique roster.
Once a league has been created and all the teams have been established, each fan may draft players to their roster from real NFL teams. Before the start of the NFL regular season, owners will choose the best players in what is called a fantasy draft in hopes of owning the best team. After the completion of the draft, the team is ready for battle on the cyber gridiron. ÿ
It does not matter what NFL team your players play for. As far as you are concerned they are all on the same team: your team. Eventually you will watch games on Sunday and have only one focus in mind, your Fantasy team.
Paul Wimberly, Jr., 20, a PJC freshman said this was his first year playing Fantasy Football. “I wanted to try something new and see what all of the fuss was about.”
Each owner competes in a head-to-head game every week against other owners in their league. Owners choose their lineups each week with the players they think are likely to produce the best statistics. All of the players’ stats will be tracked and added together to determine the points each owner receives for their team. The team with the most points receives credit for the win.
“Playing Fantasy Football you definitely have to pay more attention to the game of football,” Wimberly said. “Losing focus can cause you to lose games and affect the outcome of your season and the success of your team.” These outcomes could mean not going to the playoffs, or it could mean winning it all.
Pirates overcome Fighting Scots, lose to Saluqis
October 14, 2009
Lindsey Chavers
Published: January 8, 2006
PJC hosted the Collegiate Sports Travel Shoot Out on Dec. 29-30 where the men’s basketball team faced off against McHenry County College and Southwest Tennessee Community College.
On Dec. 29, the Pirates played the MCC Fighting Scots. PJC defeated McHenry in a close and well-fought game, 93-89. They were aided by Vernon Carr’s 28 points and 6 assists, with Sasha Parghalava adding another 26 points.
“I thought we played well the first game,” said Head Coach Paul Swanson, “but we have not played well on the second day.”
In the second game, PJC was matched up against Southwest Tennessee, who are ranked 19th in the nation in polls set up by the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA).
The Saluqis’s jumped to an early lead, but it was not long until the Pirates caught up early in the first half. Even though they managed to tie the score four times, PJC never managed to gain the lead and fell behind quickly in the second half, ending the game 89-71.
“[STCC] was a very athletic, pressing team,” said Swanson. “We could have beat them if we would have played our style, but we got caught up playing their style. Once we did that, then we didn’t play well.”
Against STCC, PJC’s Durrell Baker and Carr both lead the scoring with 13 points each. Brad Skipper helped with 4 steals and one 3-point shot.
Carr was also named to the all tournament team.
Lady Pirates sweep Shootout in Ocala
October 14, 2009
Lindsey Chavers
Published: December 6, 2006
The women’s basketball team defeated Broward Community College and Palm Beach Community College at the Florida JUCO Shootout in Ocala, Dec. 1 and 2.
Pirates cope with illness, injuries
October 14, 2009
Lindsey Chavers
Published: December 6, 2006
The PJC men’s basketball team lost four of their past six games, ending their previous six-game winning streak, due to many misfortunes.
Because of sickness and injuries, the Pirates went into the games weak.
“We’ve had the flu,” said Head Coach Paul Swanson. “Two guys got it and were out, and then two more, and the staff too.”
On Nov. 23, the Pirates were able to play their first game in the newly renovated Lou Ross Center at the Thanksgiving Appreciation Classic. They were handed their first loss of the season with an 83-72 loss to Clinton CommunityCollege of Rock Hill, S.C.
PJC was hoping to redeem themselves in their next match on Saturday, Nov. 25, against Missouri State University West Plains. But with their recent run of luck and flu, that was not possible. They lost 104-82.
Swanson said the losses could have also been attributed to a lack of practice time.
“We need more practice,” Swanson said. “We’ve had lots of games and no time for practices, which we need in order to focus on the fundamentals more.”
The Pirates also lost to Bishop State Community College 79-77 in overtime, on Nov. 30.
In the opening game of the Panhandle Shootout in Marianna on Dec. 1, PJC lost to Abraham Baldwin College 89-81.
But the Pirates were able to snatch two wins in the midst of all the troubles.
After two losses in the Shootout, PJC was ready for a win. Thanks to Miles Taylor’s 23 points and Vernon Carr’s 18, the Pirates defeated Marion Military Institution, 98-77.
They also overcame Alabama Southern Community College in a 64-53 victory. The Pirates were led by Sasha Parghalava who scored 20 points and three steals. He was aided by Carr’s 11 points and five rebounds.
Two Thanksgiving Traditions
October 14, 2009
Published: December 6, 2006
For more than 10 years, The PJC men’s basketball team has met for dinner and a tournament on Thanksgiving Day.
Interview with Volleyball Coach Pete Pena
October 14, 2009
Published: December 6, 2006
The Corsair talks with four-time Panhandle Conference volleyball coach of the year Pete Pena about his coaching philosophy.
Basketball team surmounts difficulties
October 14, 2009
Lindsey Chavers
Published: November 22, 2006
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The Lady Pirates have managed to start this season with plenty of wins; and with a (6-3) record, they are proving they can overcome adversity to be successful.
The very young women’s team is made up of 13 freshman and two sophomores. Tina Ford is the only returning player from last year’s line up.
They also have one player who had not played basketball prior to PJC. Latoya Thomas, a 6′2″ freshman, was a net ball player in Jamaica before coming to play basketball here.
It hasn’t stopped them though from winning games, and winning those games big. They’ve had two games where they scored more than 100 points, leaving their opponents in the dust.
Victoria Hunt and Gerica Johnson, both freshmen, have each made over 100 points total in the nine games they have played. Each also has over 20 steals this season so far.
Because of the renovations at the Lou Ross Center on the Pensacola Campus, the basketball teams have been forced to practice and play at the Bo Johnson Center on the Milton Campus.
Head Coach Chanda Rigby believes that being able to move back to Pensacola will help their season even more.
“We will get more shooting practice,” Rigby said. “They will also have to stay until they get something right. A lot of the girls haven’t had to do that yet, because our practices have been rushed.”
With the extra practice time and more experience, the Lady Pirates will be able to improve on their skills and maybe even their record.
