BURIEN — It started with a transition period.
But South Kitsap’s remade boys basketball team came together during the second half to earn a 65-48 nonleague win Tuesday night at Highline in the season opener for both schools.
The Wolves (1-0), who returned only two regulars from their rotation last season, trailed at the end of the first quarter and only led 29-25 at halftime.
South coach John Callaghan noticed multiple issues. Pirates’ guard Danny Perkins took advantage of a zone defense to convert 5 of 6 3-pointers during the first half. But Perkins only scored seven of his team-high 22 points after the intermission as the Wolves switched back to a man-to-man defense.
“He was getting open for some good looks,” Callaghan said. “He’s a smart player and he can stroke it. That’s the experience again. We need to close out and know where he’s at.”
Highline (0-1) committed 20 turnovers and several were forced. But Callaghan also saw some problems with that.
“It just seemed like defensively we were just being too aggressive,” he said. “It seemed like every pass we were trying to steal it instead of just playing solid.”
Callaghan attributed some of the offense’s struggles during the first half to senior point guard Travis Delgado’s foul trouble.
“In the first half when they went with their zone it was like we were just playing in halfcourt,” he said. “In the second half we got some reversals and nice open looks.”
South outscored the Pirates 36-23 during the second half. The Wolves took their first double-digit lead, 46-36, when sophomore guard James Buckley hit a 3-pointer with 1 minute left in the third quarter.
“James is a talent,” Callaghan said. “He’s so passionate. He’s long, quick and anticipates really well.”
Highline, which is a Class 3A team that competes in the Seamount League, never threatened the Wolves again. South was led by its pair of holdovers that reached the 4A regionals last season. Junior wing Eric Wattree had 22 points, while post Isaiah Lewis added 16.
“I think in the fourth quarter we finally settled down,” Callaghan said. “It took that long. But we finally settled down and played defense.”
The lead could have been even more substantial, but the Wolves converted just 15 of 32 free throws. Callaghan said working on that, along with rebounding, will be the program’s two biggest priorities. He said the schedule, which includes just one league game this month, enables his players to gain experience before they enter 4A Narrows League play. The Wolves’ nonleague schedule continues at 7 p.m. Thursday at Mount Tahoma.
“We want to see everything,” Callaghan said. “These games are for us to get better. We want to do everything in our arsenal to see what we’re good at.”
South Kitsap 65, at Highline 48
South Kitsap 11 18 19 17 – 65
Highline 13 12 14 9 – 48
South Kitsap-Cooper Canton 6, Travis Delgado 4, Aaron Scott, Lucas Knowles 2, Eric McMorris, Cole Sunkel 2, Eric Wattree 22, Daniel Tomkiewicz 4, James Buckley 9, Noah French, Isaiah Lewis 16.
Highline-Dean Tief 4, Excell 2, Montae Rainwater 6, Amir Shahzaad 6, Jason Hewett 2, Danny Perkins 22, Nick Morine, Matt Horejsi, Darzell Walker 6.
