PC notebook: Pirate hoops a combined 5-1 at home

The men’s and women’s basketball teams at Porterville College spent most of the preseason traveling up and down California highways.

The long road trips, overnight hotel stays, and fast food gets old real quick for PC men’s coach T.J. Jennings and PC women’s coach Dave Kavern.

“Of course, the players enjoy traveling,” said Jennings.

“They love getting away from home and the regular routine, but there’s nothing like sleeping in your own bed and some home cooking.”

The men’s team played its first 14 games on the road — including contests in San Francisco, San Diego, Sacramento and Modesto.

After starting with a 6-8 record, the Pirates won three in a row — all at home.

“We love playing at the PC Gym,” said Jennings. “We spend a lot of time inside those walls, so it’s literally a second home for us.”

Kavern’s team opened the season at home with a victory over Cerro Coso. Then, the Pirates played their next 14 games on the road, at places like San Jose, Barstow and Cupertino.

They split one of two games at home earlier this month. So, combined, the PC hoop teams are 5-1 at home this season.

“We wish more teams would visit Porterville during the preseason,” said Kavern. “We find that a lot of teams enjoy playing in our gym. They like the atmosphere and the energy of our home fans.”

This Saturday marks the first of only two doubleheaders at the PC Gym this season. The women host Merced at 5 p.m., while the men play rival College of the Sequoias at 7 p.m. Both opponents are perennial contenders in the Central Valley Conference, making the price of a single ticket more attractive.

In fact, Jennings and Kavern teamed up for a radio commercial to promote the double-header — airing this week on Porterville’s KTIP station.

“We hope everyone can support the Pirate basketball teams this Saturday,” said Jennings. “We have two great teams coming to visit, and we expect some exciting college basketball.”

The PC women’s team will rotate home and road games for the remainder of the regular season. On the other hand, the men will hit the road once again — playing four straight away from home, and won’t return until Feb. 4 against Fresno.

The men’s and women’s basketball teams at Porterville College spent most of the preseason traveling up and down California highways.

The long road trips, overnight hotel stays, and fast food gets old real quick for PC men’s coach T.J. Jennings and PC women’s coach Dave Kavern.

“Of course, the players enjoy traveling,” said Jennings.

“They love getting away from home and the regular routine, but there’s nothing like sleeping in your own bed and some home cooking.”

The men’s team played its first 14 games on the road — including contests in San Francisco, San Diego, Sacramento and Modesto.

After starting with a 6-8 record, the Pirates won three in a row — all at home.

“We love playing at the PC Gym,” said Jennings. “We spend a lot of time inside those walls, so it’s literally a second home for us.”

Kavern’s team opened the season at home with a victory over Cerro Coso. Then, the Pirates played their next 14 games on the road, at places like San Jose, Barstow and Cupertino.

They split one of two games at home earlier this month. So, combined, the PC hoop teams are 5-1 at home this season.

“We wish more teams would visit Porterville during the preseason,” said Kavern. “We find that a lot of teams enjoy playing in our gym. They like the atmosphere and the energy of our home fans.”

This Saturday marks the first of only two doubleheaders at the PC Gym this season. The women host Merced at 5 p.m., while the men play rival College of the Sequoias at 7 p.m. Both opponents are perennial contenders in the Central Valley Conference, making the price of a single ticket more attractive.

In fact, Jennings and Kavern teamed up for a radio commercial to promote the double-header — airing this week on Porterville’s KTIP station.

“We hope everyone can support the Pirate basketball teams this Saturday,” said Jennings. “We have two great teams coming to visit, and we expect some exciting college basketball.”

The PC women’s team will rotate home and road games for the remainder of the regular season. On the other hand, the men will hit the road once again — playing four straight away from home, and won’t return until Feb. 4 against Fresno.