South Kitsap’s John Callaghan referred to it as a night of firsts.
But for a coach with 211 career wins, that meant nothing positive.
The Wolves lost their fifth consecutive game Wednesday night, 77-27, against Olympia in Class 4A Narrows League play. It was the largest margin of defeat in Callaghan’s 13 seasons.
Two other setbacks during the losing streak — at Bellarmine Prep (63-25) on Jan. 5 and at Central Kitsap (71-34) on Jan. 7 — had differentials of greater than 30 points, but Callaghan admits being surprised by his team’s performance against the Bears (13-1 overall, 8-0 league).
After all, South (3-10, 1-6) was competitive Dec. 10 at Olympia before falling 60-52.
“We played them tough down there,” Callaghan said. “I thought we would be ready to go.”
The Wolves took a 3-2 lead on a 3-pointer by junior guard Nars Martinez after their first possession, but struggled to find any consistency against Olympia’s match-up zone after that. South shot just 20 percent from the field and no player produced double-digit points.
“As a basketball player you can sense when a team’s not confident,” Callaghan said. “You know that we can get those guys. When things go bad for us, we don’t have anyone that can step up.”
The Bears, who remained in first place in 4A Narrows, shot 53.8 percent from the field. Guard Alex Weber-Brader scored a game-high 13 points. He converted two of Olympia’s nine 3-pointers.
“I don’t think they could play any better,” Callaghan said. “They’re a good team and it showed.”
The Bears led 22-10 entering the second quarter and 40-14 at halftime. In addition to the first 50-point loss of Callaghan’s career, he experienced a running clock during the second half as part of a Washington Interscholastic Activities Association rule to speed up games during blowouts.
Before this season, the Wolves largest margin of defeat under Callaghan came against Timpanogos High in Utah, 75-40, on Dec. 12, 2003.
He knew there would be challenges as he said the team lacks a true point guard — last season’s starter at that position, Isaiah Davis, elected not to turn out — but he said Monday’s practice was outstanding.
“These are nice kids,” Callaghan said. “They’re good students. They’ve worked hard all year.”
He even has made changes, including shaving his mustache, in hopes of turning around his team’s prospects.
“Maybe that’s it,” said Callaghan, laughing. “I’m going to grow a freaking beard. Look like Moses.”
Wednesday
Olympia 77, South Kitsap 27
Olympia 22 18 22 15 — 77
South Kitsap 10 4 8 5 — 27
Olympia—Marcus Raschkow 7, Jamey Smith 11, Kyle Steen 7, Trevor Houser 7, Caleb Slater 10, Michael Naipo 2, Dominick Francks 10, Alex Weber-Brader 13, Cole Voorhees 2, Brett Wittenberg 2, Brendan Leonard 6.
South Kitsap—Aaron La Deaux 3, Thomas Simpson 2, Michael Powell 0, Devon Newquist 0, Steven Ebner 2, Angelo Hazely 2, David Hunnicut 2, Nars Martinez 8, Kellen Traxel 6, Quentin Harris 2, Josh Osinski 0, James Hyson 0.
Friday
Mount Tahoma 73, at South Kitsap 56
Mount Tahoma 11 22 15 25 — 73
South Kitsap 12 16 12 16 — 56
Mount Tahoma—Smitherman 12, Lee 2, Buise 10, Baines 0, Rollins 10, Harris 0, Bazile 21, Truong 12, Trailer 0, Howard 6.
South Kitsap—Aaron La Deaux 16, Thomas Simpson 6, Michael Powell 6, Devon Newquist 3, Steven Ebner 5, Angelo Hazely 2, David Hunnicut 0, Nars Martinez 14, Kellen Traxel 0, Quentin Harris 4, James Hyson 0.
