The Spartans battled to their third straight win Friday, Jan. 4, their longest winning streak of the season so far, with a 60-49 victory against Chief Sealth.
Having scored first (2-0 with 6:13 to go in the first), the Bainbridge High School varsity boys basketball team proceeded to cap the quarter up just 15-6 and apparently looking down the barrel of a long night.
Not so, however.
They stayed ahead throughout the second, though they could never gain enough ground or put enough distance between themselves and the Seahawks to get truly comfy, and ultimately started the second half ahead 33-24.
The fourth began 41-36, with the island squad still in the lead and the guests unable to surmount their deficit.
In fifth place in the Metro Mountain Division, the Spartans’ overall season record was nudged to 6-7 (2-6 in conference). The top spot belongs to the impeccable Eastside Catholic (6-0 in conference).
There was much to be proud of last Friday, said BHS Head Coach Steve Haizlip, especially some moments of marked improvement on the part of the Spartans, who have suffered through several mini slumps this season.
“We’re getting better in practice, we’re learning from the games that we’re winning and losing,” the coach said. “Just the composure I thought that they had when [Chief Sealth] went on a little bit of a run … this team has done it all year, though. It doesn’t really seem to get to them — as long as we don’t get past that hump.”
When surpassed on the board, Haizlip said, this year’s Spartan squad has had a tendency to get shook up and begin to play too tentatively. This time they saw the trouble approaching and made the necessary adjustments in time.
“They made the winning plays when they had to,” he said. “They keep improving.”
A strong start is practically a given for this comparatively green team. And, against CS, they were typically explosive from the tipoff. However, the third quarter lull that has plagued the team on and off throughout the year again threatened to rear its droopy head.
“I’m trying to fix that,” Haizlip said. “I think we start playing a little tentative. I think we start playing a little loose, with a little bit of a lack of focus and in Metro you can not. The game is not over until it’s over.”
With the interruption of the holiday break over and done with, Haizlip, reflecting on the first half of the season (which saw the Spartans struggle through several multi-game losing streaks), said slight adjustments will make all the difference going forward.
“We’ve had a few missteps with some games, but for the most part we’re playing some very consistent basketball,” the coach said. “We’re going to finish well.
“All we can ask is to give ourselves a chance to win, and that’s what we did.”
The Spartans will host Ballard at 8:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 11 and play again at home at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 15, against Lakeside.
