KINGSTON — The Kingston High girls basketball team learned something Tuesday night: how to hang on to a lead in a close game.

The Buccaneers (13-5 overall, 12-2 league) staved off a second-half onslaught by Olympic High to win at home, 53-49. Kingston had led by 18 points at halftime.

“I liked the way Olympic made us work,” Kingston Coach Penny Geinger said. “That’s only going to make us better.”

Kingston has rarely been challenged by Olympic League opponents this season. Prior to Tuesday’s win, the only team in the league that forced the Bucs to fight to the finish was Port Angeles, which beat Kingston by two points in December and by 10 last month.

“I think we needed this, because we’re used to playing down to other teams,” Kingston guard Sophia Baetz said.

Port Angeles currently sits in first place in the Olympic League, with Kingston following closely in second. Olympic holds the league’s third place spot.

Baetz added that the win was a good primer for postseason play, during which the Bucs are likely to face stiff competition from outside the Olympic League. Kingston is 1-3 against non-league opponents this season.

(Staff Photos by Brad Camp)