POULSBO — She was a Spartan and a Buccaneer. Now, Penny Gienger is a Viking.

Gienger was announced as the next North Kitsap High School girls basketball head coach in an email, April 17.

“Through a collaborative process, North Kitsap High School has hired Penny Gienger as our new girls’ basketball coach,” North Kitsap Athletic Director Chris Franklin wrote in an email. “Penny has had an extensive experience coaching at Bainbridge High School and has great knowledge in the game of basketball. We are excited to welcome Penny to North Kitsap High School.”

Gienger’s last season with the Spartans was 2008-09, when her overall coaching record was looking to be the best in program history.

Gienger then took over the Kingston Buccaneers program for 2009-10 season. Originally, she had planned to fill in for a week while the school searched for a full-time coach. Because the school came up short in its search, Gienger opted to stay. She coached the team to a 10-2 conference record, and a playoff appearance.

Gienger replaces Tim French as the head coach of the program. French resigned after the 2013-14 season.

The Vikings finished the 2013-14 season with a winning conference record of 9-7, and overall record of 12-8. However, the team fell short of a postseason appearance.

A meet-and-greet with the new head coach is scheduled for 6 p.m., April 22 in the North Kitsap High School Commons. Gienger will go over plans for open gyms, summer basketball, and her philosophy and vision for the basketball program.