KINGSTON — The Kingston Buccaneers varsity team led the Bainbridge Spartans with less than a minute left in the game Dec. 27.

The Bucs were in position for the win with the six-point lead after Hans Schippers hit a three-pointer.

But a few errors and missed opportunities, which the Spartans capitalized on, gave the Spartans a shot at the win.

With 15 seconds on the clock, Bainbridge’s Blake Swanson sank a field goal that put the Spartans up by one point. The Spartans won the non-league, 67-66. The loss is the Bucs’ fifth that the Kingston team has lost in the last minute of the game.

It’s bad luck, and not being able to finish, Kingston coach Blake Conley said. Hopefully the Bucs are learning from their mistakes, Conley said.

“The one good thing is we’re playing a lot of close games,” Conley added.

The loss to the Spartans followes a 71-44 win over North Mason on Dec. 18. Prior to defeating North Mason, the Bucs lost 47-45 to Enumclaw, 57-56 to Olympic, and 53-47 to Sequim.

“We’re a good team, Conley said. “To have a chance against teams like Olympic, Bainbridge and Enumclaw …”

Conley said he’s happy with Kingston’s defense. “It’s just the little things at the end of these games,” he said. “We have a chance to be a pretty dang good team.”

KT Deam scored 14 points and had three steals.

Henry English led the Bucs, scoring 15 points, tying his career high.

Hans Schippers scored 13, and accumulated nine rebounds.

The Bucs travel to Peninsula High School Jan. 5 for their next game.

The team’s next league game is Jan. 8 against Klahowya, at home. Junior Varsity plays at 5:15 p.m. Varsity starts at 7 p.m.