Turnovers plague NK in lopsided loss to BHS

By Luke Caputo Kitsap News Group • January 15, 2025 1:30 am
Luke Caputo/Kitsap News Group Bainbridge sophomore Elsa Drugge inbounds the ball in a 67-35 win over the North Kitsap Vikings Jan. 14.
Luke Caputo/Kitsap News Group Bainbridge sophomore Elsa Drugge inbounds the ball in a 67-35 win over the North Kitsap Vikings Jan. 14.

Bainbridge’s girls put their foot on the gas and never let up.

The Spartans beat the Vikings 67-35 Jan. 14 at North Kitsap High School.

Spartan coach Zach Burnham talked about the importance of the game as the rivals are two of the top teams in the Olympic League. BHS improved to 9-4, 5-0 in league, while NK dropped to 9-5, 5-2.

“You especially want to get a win against your rivals, a team that’s in second place,” Burnham said. “Has always been our mentality that we’re a first -place team.”

Both teams found their offensive rhythm early but could not avoid turning the ball over, leading to both teams generating fastbreak points and building up a fast tempo.

The first quarter was neck and neck with neither able to gain an edge as the visitors led just 14-11.

However, the second quarter saw the Spartans pull away, largely due to the number of fouls the Vikings committed. The Spartans hit their free throws to move out in front.

The score at halftime was 26 to 14 Spartans. The leading scorer for Bainbridge was Bella Ramirez with 12. The leading scorer for the Vikings was Avery Kline with 8.

Ramirez said that playing hard and keeping up intensity was the focal point in the locker room before the game.

“NK is an intense gym to be in,” Ramirez said. “There were people today that were trying to rattle us and all those things, but just playing together and having fun anyway” was the mentality.

Bainbridge went on a 12-0 run within the first four minutes of the third period. The Vikings were finally able to get on the board after Kline was fouled, as she made both free throws.

But the turnover bug continued to plague the Vikings, as the Spartans increased their lead to 38-17 with 3:32 remaining in the third.

The fourth quarter saw the Spartans jump out to their largest lead of the night at 28. The Vikings attempted to get back in the game by shooting from beyond the arc, but could not connect.

Bainbridge began to take its starters out with four minutes remaining. “We just want to go out and dominate the best way we can every game,” Burnham said.