Rivals North Kitsap and host Bainbridge played two games Dec. 12, with the Spartans winning the girls game 56-35, and the Vikings the boys game 67-46.
The boys game was a streetball matchup. The crowd roared while players were slapped, elbowed, kicked and more throughout the game.
“It was loud which is what basketball is all about,” NK boys coach Scott Orness said. “Nobody wants to play in an empty gym. It makes these guys have to communicate better.”
The Spartans stunned the state-contending Vikings in the first quarter. Kaden Thielman scored two layups, and Sam Nylund scored for the Spartans in the first quarter. But NK still led 7-6 with Cade Orness’ two baskets and Trey Carter’s first basket as a Viking. “Trey is settling in and gave us some good minutes tonight,” coach Orness said.
Orness and Nylund fought hard against each other for each bucket. The two continued to trade points as the lead continued to go back and forth. Bainbridge led through seven of the eight minutes of the second quarter. However, NK went into halftime with a 26-25 lead, including Orness with 11 points and Nylund’s 10 points for the home team.
NK’s other standout guard, Harry Davies, began to heat up in the third quarter with nine points. However, Nylund and the Spartans continued to trade points with the Vikings. When the game was tied at 33-33 in the third quarter, Nylund picked up his fifth and final foul, and the game changed drastically.
“It was a close game and coach Ferris got them believing and playing well,” Orness said. “They got into foul trouble and would’ve been closer if they didn’t lose Sam or Kaden.”
The Vikings led just 49-43 with a handful of minutes left. But Jordan Williams scored 15 points in the fourth quarter as NK ran away with it.
“I’ve known Jordan since fourth grade and good to have him back in Poulsbo,” Orness said. “But (BHS coach) Ferris has done a great job. They have a good defense and played out of their minds.”
In the girls game, NK coach Karla Devries said the setting was a little intimidating as the boys and girls don’t normally play the same night in the same location.
“We were nervous,” Devries said. “The quad game setting amped it up, and we played so poorly the first quarter. Our shots were off; our timing was off.”
Spartan Bella Ramirez scored 11 of Bainbridge’s 17 points in the first quarter, while Teegan Devries and Avery Kline scored six points each for the visitors.
“It’s a good game but I always tell her she can do more because she gambles a lot,” Spartan coach Zach Burnham said of Ramirez. “Once she figures it out, she will be a stud.”
After a fast first quarter, both teams struggled.
“Our biggest problem was our turnovers,” Devries said. “I had several players with five or more turnovers. We had a lot of assists to them.”
Burham said: “They had 38 turnovers, and we had 34 turnovers. “We do a great job running in transition but we got to get the girls to click.”
Bainbridge led 35-20 after three quarters and ran away with it with a handful of Spartans scoring easily.
In the fourth quarter, Hannah Bounketh scored five points, Ramirez scored two of her 18, and Anna Rowe scored underneath the hoop for the final basket.
Kline led the Vikings with 10 points.
“It’s a rivalry game and to beat the top teams from last year is great,” Burnham said. “I just want to keep improving and stay locked in.”
Spartan Kaitlyn Davis drives past Viking Teegan DeVries.
Bella Ramirez leads the Spartans with 18 points.
NK’s Harry Davies receives the pass.
Bainbridge’s Hannah Bounketh nails five points in the fourth quarter.
Viking Avery Kline scores from the free-throw line.
Spartan Charlie Hill crosses Viking Preston Keehn before scoring the basket.
