Warden's Yamane to play collegiate basketball

Former Cougars coach Darling recruits standout for Peninsula College Pirates

PORT ANGELES — Warden High School basketball player Britney Yamane has committed to play the 2007-2008 season for the Peninsula College Pirates, now led by former Warden coach Tiffany Darling.

Peninsula, which plays in the Northwest Athletic Association of Community College's (NWAACC) North Division, had a 13-12 overall record last year, Darling's first year at the helm. The Pirates narrowly missed a NWAACC tournament appearance.

As a freshman, Yamane started on Warden's team that earned a share of the South Central Athletic Conference league title and won the district championship for the first time in school history. Yamane averaged 15 points, four rebounds and three assists per game last season as a senior.

Yamane was also a two-time all-SCAC first team pick, a team captain and four-year varsity starter, and played in the All-State basketball game. She has a 3.5 point cumulative grade-point average as well.

"I followed the program and I followed Britney through her high school career," Darling said in a press release. "I will always remember Warden as the place where I got my start."

After coaching at Warden for two years, Darling spent two seasons as the top assistant at NCAA Division II Saint Martin's University. There, Darling helped the team have its first 20-win season and berth in the national tournament in school history.

Darling is now working toward rebuilding Peninsula's program and expects Yamane to be someone who can step in immediately and know the ins and outs of her system.

"Having played in my system for a year, I expect Brit to be a leader for us as a freshman," Darling said. "She knows and respects the demands and expectations I place on my student-athletes."

Peninsula returns its two leading scorers from last season in second team all-conference wing Brooke Helpenstell and guard Kathleen Wilson.

"My hope is that Brit will be cutting down nets again next season," Darling said. "The only difference is she will be doing it in a Pirate uniform."

Yamane is one of eight members of Peninsula's 2007 recruiting class. The others are Ayla Brown (guard, Wasilla, Alaska); Jamie Brown (guard, Wasilla, Alaska), Damaris Craig (post, Kenai, Alaska), Tina Knight (guard, Anchorage, Alaska), Samantha Flett (guard, Wellpinit, Wash.), Brittany Heilman (wing, Seattle), Ashlee Harter (wing/post, Myrtle Creek, Ore.) and Kaylee Baumstark (wing/post, Port Angeles, Wash.).