Peninsula Pirates Punch Ticket to Final Four with March Madness Wins

Women's basketball team defeats Treasure Valley and Umpqua to advance to NWAC semifinals

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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The Peninsula Pirates women's basketball team is headed to the Final Four after defeating Treasure Valley 70-66 in the Sweet 16 and Umpqua 71-57 in the Elite Eight. The Pirates overcame early deficits in both games, led by strong performances from Alecsis Smith, Aspen Fraser, Kimberlee Brown, and others. They now face defending NWAC champion Walla Walla in the semifinals on Friday.

Why it matters

The Pirates' run to the Final Four is a major accomplishment for the small community college program, which has emerged as a regional power in women's basketball. Their success is a point of pride for the Port Angeles area and highlights the talent and hard work of the players and coaching staff.

The details

In the Sweet 16 win over Treasure Valley, the Pirates fell behind by 14 points in the second quarter before rallying with a 12-0 run to cut the deficit to just two at halftime. They then shut down the Chukars' offense in the third quarter to take the lead. Alecsis Smith had 25 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists, while Aspen Fraser came off the bench to score 15 points. Against Umpqua in the Elite Eight, Kimberlee Brown led the way with 16 points, including 4-of-6 from three-point range, and Malia Garcia added 14 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists.

  • The Pirates defeated Treasure Valley 70-66 in the NWAC Sweet 16 on March 8, 2026.
  • The Pirates defeated Umpqua 71-57 in the NWAC Elite Eight on March 9, 2026.

The players

Alecsis Smith

A standout post player for the Pirates who had 25 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists in the Sweet 16 win.

Aspen Fraser

A freshman who came off the bench to score 15 points, grab 7 rebounds, and provide a spark in the Pirates' comeback against Treasure Valley.

Kimberlee Brown

A 5-foot-9 freshman from Orem, Utah who led all scorers with 16 points, including 4-of-6 from three-point range, in the Elite Eight win over Umpqua.

Malia Garcia

A 5-foot-9 freshman from Mount Vernon who had 14 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists in the Elite Eight victory.

Carliese O'Brien

The Pirates' starting point guard who played 24 minutes across the two games despite a torn ACL, showing incredible toughness.

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What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The Pirates will face 27-4 defending NWAC champion Walla Walla in the semifinals on Friday night at 7:00 in Pasco. The game will be broadcast on KONP Newsradio.

The takeaway

The Pirates' improbable run to the Final Four is a testament to the team's resilience, talent, and coaching. Their success has captivated the local community and highlights the strength of the NWAC women's basketball program.