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Gig Harbor dominant in rivalry game win over Peninsula

The Peninsula gym was packed on Wednesday, Jan. 11, to see a boys basketball crosstown rivalry game.

The sixth-ranked Gig Harbor Tides dismantled the Peninsula Seahawks, 76-30, in front of a standing-room-only crowd.

The Tides (12-1, 6-1 South Sound Conference) used their attacking style and smothering defense to win their sixth straight matchup against the hustling Seahawks (5-6, 3-4 SSC).

Gig Harbor’s Will Landram dunks during a 76-30 win over Peninsula. Bryce Carithers

The Tides’ two leading scorers, Luke Browne and Will Landram, collaborated to get Gig Harbor off to a good start. Landram started the scoring with a bucket off a perfect lob inbound pass from Browne, and on the next possession Browne drilled a contested corner three.

Landram’s steal and a Christian Parrish assist resulted in a Browne layup to put Gig Harbor ahead 8-0 before most in the crowd could find a seat.

Parrish, Harvey lead defense

On defense, the Tides employed a sneaky press and a 2-3 match up zone. The zone features reigning league defensive player of the year Parrish and possibly his main competitor for this year’s award, teammate KeVaughn Harvey. They play at the top of the zone and are ball-hawkers who apply constant pressure.

The Tides concentrated their defensive pressure on Peninsula leading scorer Isaiah Brown, who averages 19 points per game. He finished with two field goals and seven free throws for 11 points.

Harvey, a South Kitsap transfer, possesses long arms, quick feet and a chip on his shoulder.

“He was the perfect addition to our team,” Landram said. “He brings so much energy and is just what we needed.”

Landram, Browne impress

Gig Harbor was ahead 24-3 at the conclusion of the first quarter, which ended with  Landram drilling a corner three at the buzzer. By halftime, it was 49-12. A running clock was used in the second half.

Peninsula senior Luke Benoit looks for a teammate during a Jan. 11 game against Gig Harbor. Bryce Carithers

“We knew they would be physical and excited to play and I feel like we had a good game plan coming in,” Gig Harbor coach Billy Landram said. “And then we just had players make plays, which always makes a coach look good.”

The younger Landram finished with 24 points, 7 rebounds and at least two dunks.

“It’s fun to be a part of it and to watch him, obviously both as a coach and as a dad,” coach Landram said. “A lot of his success is because he’s playing with good players but he had a good game tonight for sure.”

Browne finished with 18 points, eight rebounds and three steals. Parrish had 10 points and several pinpoint passes, and combined with Harvey to wreak havoc on defense.

“Peninsula’s plan coming in was to try to limit Browne on offense,” coach Landram said. “We wanted to get him more shots, but he still got his points. When teams try to concentrate too much on him, the other players just feast.”

Peninsula coach Sean Muilenburg saw his team play hard and compete throughout the game. They are still tied for fourth in the South Sound Conference and are eyeing a possible playoff spot.

“We lost our focus early, I thought mostly due to our struggles offensively,” Muilenburg said. “Then we got caught up in the emotions instead of just staying focused with the plan and it unraveled quickly. There was just no stopping their momentum.”

Up next for both teams

The Seahawks were lead by Brown’s nine points Cole Bashaw’s seven. Peninsula plays at Central Kitsap on Friday, Jan. 13. The Seahawks previously beat the Cougars, 65-58, on Dec. 7.

The win afforded Landram the opportunity to rest his starters for much of the second half. That could come in handy, since Gig Harbor plays again Friday and Saturday, Jan. 13 and 14. The Tides host Yelm at 7 p.m. Friday and Lake Stevens at 5 p.m. Saturday.

Gig Harbor senior Luke Browne makes a contested 3-point basket during a win over Peninsula on Jan. 11. Bryce Carithers