PC notebook: Pirate Madness coming Oct. 18
The fifth edition of Porterville College’s “Pirate Madness” is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 18.
The free event, which showcases the new Pirate basketball teams, has turned into a community rally of sorts, where students participate in a variety of contests and youth groups perform music and dance routines.
Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. when free food will be served.
“There’s something for everyone at Pirate Madness,” said PC athletic director Eric Mendoza, who started the event in 2008.
“People from the community started to contact us before we had a chance to extend our invitation this year. It’s turned into a fun tradition not only for PC, but the entire community.”
The schedule of events includes an introduction of the 2012-13 basketball teams, before men and women players compete in a 3-point contest, and several men participate in the fan-favorite slam dunk contest.
There will also be dance performances from each of the five PC teams, and a special introduction of the Pirate volleyball team.
Pre-event festivities will include a student club tailgate contest and a chili cook-off sponsored by the Associated Students of Porterville College and the Inter-Club Council.
“October is probably the busiest month on campus, and Pirate Madness is a great way to celebrate our student-athletes,” Mendoza said.
“The success of our volleyball team has generated a lot of excitement in Porterville, so this is a great way to continue the momentum into the basketball season.”
MEN’S AND
WOMEN’S HOOPS
Entering his fourth year, T.J. Jennings (Central Valley Conference Co-Coach of the Year), said he will finalize his roster right before the “Pirate Madness” event.
“We still have some decisions to make,” said Jennings, coming off a runner-up finish in the CVC.
“It will be a young team, in terms of experience, but it’s probably the hardest working group since I’ve been here.”
Key returners include All-CVC Freshman forward Miguel Perez (Monache) and redshirt freshman guard Ivory Easley (Redwood).
Women’s coach Dave Kavern has four returning potential starters with forward Maribel Bravo (Strathmore), center Katrina Goulbourne (Redwood), Eva Gutierrez (Strathmore), and Jackie Padron (Delano) returning for their sophomore seasons.
“We have a good chance to be the most improved team in the conference,” Kavern said.
“With good experience coming back and the addition of some talented freshmen, we’re looking forward to the season. We have good size in the post and I like our overall team speed.”
