As the regular season winds down, every game ramps up, so Bainbridge’s 59-32 victory over Kingston Jan. 23 is a big factor in both teams competing for the postseason.

The Spartans, who need to finish third or better in the 2A Olympic League since it’s currently a 3A school, entered the Kingston game half of a game behind Port Angeles for third place and one game behind Bremerton for second.

“I don’t want to put too much pressure on it,” Bainbridge coach Will Ferris said. “As long as we can play free, we are going to make things happen.”

On the other hand, Kingston must win at least one more game than Sequim in the four remaining games.

“We want to win as many as we can and let the rest take care of itself,” Kingston coach KT Deam said. “We can be considered for an at-large” playoff spot.

Before the Spartans and Buccaneers look too far down the road, the two teams faced off, and the Spartans took control early. Five Bainbridge players scored in the first quarter, including Sam Nylund making eight of the Spartans 17 points.

“I feel like our team is super deep, and I trust all of them,” Ferris said. “Sometimes it’s tough to get everyone in the game and give them minutes and get everyone to play well together. Today was more seamless and a lot of guys stepped up and scored.”

Kingston’s offense fell short due to the Spartans’ size.

“Defensively we played good. Ideally, holding teams into the 50s is where we want to be. The shots not falling sucks for us, but they are a long, great defensive team that makes it hard for us,” Deam said of the Bucs.

Kingston finished with just two points in the first quarter. In the second, Chayton Walker and Jace Brady scored six of the 15 points.

Kingston began sliming the lead in the third quarter until Bainbridge’s post-game was too much for the smaller Kingston squad.

“We track points in the paint and paint touches,” Ferris said. “We had over forty paint touches today. When you get the right shots and paint touches, you will win a lot of games.”

Spartan Will Rohrbacher scored a couple of baskets in the third quarter and reached over several Bucs for multiple rebounds.

“Will before he subbed into the game said he was going to dominate,” Ferris said. “He went out there and did it. A big shoutout to Will taking it to them.”

Bainbridge headed into the fourth quarter with a 44-26 lead. Afterward, the Spartans coasted with some of their depth players to capture the victory.

Nylund led the Spartans with 16 points, while Walker had 11 for Kingston.

Buc Chayton Walker shoots a three-pointer.