Community Sports

Tides a game away from state tournament after knocking off Seahawks

The Gig Harbor boys basketball team survived and advanced against their crosstown rival in the Class 3A West Central District III tournament.

The fifth-seeded Tides (14-8) defeated No. 12 Peninsula, 65-56, at home on Saturday, Feb. 14. It was Gig Harbor’s 12th consecutive win over Peninsula.

Gig Harbor advanced to play at Auburn Mountainview at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17. The winner of that game advances to the state tournament; the loser gets one more chance to make state during an elimination game on Feb. 19.

Junior guard Max Schwab was a Swiss army knife against Peninsula, contributing 11 points and several timely assists. Schwab also effectively denied post position to taller Seahawks after Tides center Michael Masini encountered foul trouble.

Despite missing a long stretch of the second half, the 6-foot-8 Masini scored 20 points in the win. Masini, a senior, recently was named the most valuable player of the Puget Sound League.

Michael Masini, recently named the most valuable player of the Puget Sound League, scores two of his 20 points against Peninsula. Photo by Christi Adams

Peninsula kept it close

The Tides never trailed, but the Seahawks were within shouting distance for most of the game. Gig Harbor’s lead was just 17-13 after the first quarter, a period in which Peninsula forward AJ Alexeev scored six of his 16 points.

It looked like the Tides might break the game open during an up-and-down second quarter. It was much more entertaining to watch (and probably to play in) than the free-throw contests that recent Fish Baskets became.

Masini at one point scored six consecutive points, including a smooth step-back along the baseline. Peninsula defenders had few answers for the Tides big man.

But Peninsula’s Isaac Smith hit two coldblooded, 3-point shots in front of the Tides bench to make the score 35-27 at halftime.

Masini in foul trouble

The refs whistled Masini for his fourth foul with 3:25 remaining in third quarter, and Tides coach Billy Landram called his big man to the bench with a six-point lead.

Peninsula appeared to have plenty of time to take control inside. The Seahawks’ roster didn’t lack for size, with players standing 6-foot-7, 6-foot-6 and 6-foot-4.

But they didn’t seem overly interested in attacking the Tides down low during Masini’s long absence. Instead, the Seahawks fired perimeter jump shots while the Tides trio of Schwab, Quentin Bockhorn and Ty Buchanan — all around 5-foot-10 — defended the post, walled up on drives and grabbed defensive rebounds.

Max Schwab of Gig Harbor scores a layup against Peninsula on Feb. 14, 2026. Photo by Christi Adams

The Tides actually extended their lead in Masini’s absence, as Gig Harbor’s Jack Brown and Schwab both connected on 3-pointers.

Peninsula made only one shot in the paint in the period, with Talen McDonnells turn-around jumper from 12 feet making the score 47-37 at the end of the third quarter.

Buchanan, who scored 14 points, opened a productive fourth quarter with a nice driving layup before Schwab snapped a dime to William Lumsden as the Tides built the lead to 14 points.

Landram was able to wait until the three-minute mark of the fourth quarter to bring back Masini.

Taylor heats up

Tariq Taylor scored 18 points and caught fire late in the fourth quarter, burying four 3-pointers to bring the Seahawks within 58-51 with 2:08 to go. Landram called a timeout and searched for a fire extinguisher.

Tariq Taylor of Peninsula dribbles against Gig Harbor’s Jack Brown. Photo by Christi Adams

McDonnell blocked Masini’s reverse-layup attempt on the next possession, but Buchanan stole the ball right back and absorbed a foul while spinning in a bucket.

The three-point play brought the lead back to 10 points and the Tides weren’t threatened again.

The Seahawks graduate eight seniors, including Alexeev, a two-time second-team All-Nisqually Division selection. Other Seahawk seniors departing include Isaac Smith, Lucas Wiseman, Trever Bingham, Malakai Karaca, Jack Raslavsky, Aden Conden and Kapone Martin.

Gig Harbor 65, Peninsula 56

Peninsula: Isaac Smith 8, Tariq Taylor 18, Talen McDonnell 7, Aiden Muilenburg 5, AJ Alexeev 16, Jack Raslavsky 2

Gig Harbor: Troy Arnold 2, Quentin Bockhorn 5, Ty Buchanan 14, Max Schwab 11, Jack Brown 9, Wyatt Lumsden 2, Michael Masini 20, William Cody 2