New coach, new gym, new chance

POULSBO — A remodeled gym isn’t the only thing that’s “new” around the North Kitsap boys’ basketball team.

POULSBO — A remodeled gym isn’t the only thing that’s “new” around the North Kitsap boys’ basketball team.

“I love the new gym,” said coach Aaron Nations said. “ But I don’t only see a new gym, I see a new team, and a new era in North Kitsap basketball.”

After a disappointing 2-17 season last year, a new era may be just want the team needs. Nations, in his first year of coaching, admits there is a lot of talk about goals — what the team wants to achieve after last year’s lackluster season.

“I would like to see us go .500 in league, or better,” Nations said. “Of course, the kids have higher goals — to go to playoffs. Which is a good goal, and one we want to get to.”

The varsity and junior varsity teams have a good cross section of talent from each grade — seven seniors, seven juniors, and eight sophomores — and Nations said he likes what he sees.

“They’re listening, and are very coachable,” he said. “We’ll take these first two weeks to figure out where we are.”

The team has its work cut out; only two players on this year’s squad received serious playing time on last year’s varsity team.

“We’re pretty young and pretty inexperienced,” Nations said. “But we’ll have a very balanced squad this year.”

In a Narrows League full of tough competition, that balance will help. The Vikes also have some inside knowledge from NK athletic director Al Gleich, a former coach at Central Kitsap.

But Nations said he knows the focus must lie within the team to do well.

“The important thing for us is to play good defense and stay in the game,” he added. “Play up tempo and be patient in our sets on offense.”

The team’s strengths lie in its outside positions, Nations said, due to the fact they’re a smaller team.

“We’re hoping to be an in-your-face team,” he said, “with strength in the perimeter.

“We’re not real big inside,” he added. “Ryan Young is our five, but he’s really about a three or a four.”

But Nations said the team has the potential to score down low.

“We do have guys (like Young) that can score inside,” he commented.

Nations’ first home game, as well as the boys’ first chance at the new NK gym, is Dec. 10 versus Lincoln.

“I encourage everyone to come out,” he said. “I think they’ll like what they see.”

“The kids seem pretty excited,” he added. “They’re ready to go.”

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