POULSBO — The Buccaneers are known for their stamina in the second half, but they found their mojo too late in the game against Bremerton on Jan. 28, falling 66-58.

“It was a disappointing one,” Kingston boys head coach Ben Wisniewski said. “We didn’t play 32 minutes of inspired basketball. When you take off half, it’s hard to play a whole game in 16 minutes when you’re supposed to play in 32.”

It was a key game: At stake, a chance at second in the Olympic League, depending on how 8-2 North Kitsap and 8-2 Olympic do in the final few games of the regular season. The Bucs dropped to 5-4 in the league; Bremerton improved to 6-3.

The bleachers were packed with Buccaneers fans as well as visitors from Bremerton, North Kitsap and other surrounding schools. The Bucs were trying to improve over their last meeting with Bremerton.

“Bremerton blew [Kingston] out of the water last time, but I hope Kingston wins,” said an audience spectator who wished to remain anonymous.

Wisniewski said earlier this week, “We have a lot to improve on … We need to play 100 percent for the [next] games.”

Bremerton boys head coach Miah Davis said before the game, “The implications of the game are huge, but at the same time, our guys are ready. They’re focused.”

The Knights have become a better team over the course of the season, he said. “They’re really finding themselves as a brotherhood. They respect themselves and the game, and that makes it easier to play.”

When asked if the Knights were feeling any pressure, Davis laughed and said, “We’re from Bremerton. We don’t feel no pressure.”

As the game opened, Kingston and Bremerton quickly tied at 2-2, then Kingston scored again, but Bremerton quickly recovered. With less than 30 seconds left in the first quarter, the Knights scored again to go into the second 10-5.

In the second quarter, the Knights widened the scoring gap to 21-9. Kingston missed some key shots, including free throws, but close to the end of the third quarter brought the score to 48-47. Bremerton answered with some steals and some three-point shots to finish with a 66-58 win.

“They’re down,” Wisniewski said of his team. “They’re trying to figure out who cares and who really wants to be around … I guess it goes back to we’re just not ready.”

He added, “It takes relentless effort, something we haven’t done in the past week. We’ll see how mentally tough these boys are. It’s all about energy, effort and focus.”

Bremerton hosts North Mason at 7 p.m. on Jan. 29. Kingston travels to Olympic, 7 p.m. Jan. 29.