NK clinches a top spot with win over Kingston

By Steven Powell • February 8, 2022 1:30 am
NK’s defense sets the stage for its high-scoring offense. Here, Aiden Olmstead (3), Harry Davies (12) and Colton Brewer put pressure on Kingston’s standout guard Zach Mead (10). Steve Powell/North Kitsap Herald photos
NK’s defense sets the stage for its high-scoring offense. Here, Aiden Olmstead (3), Harry Davies (12) and Colton Brewer put pressure on Kingston’s standout guard Zach Mead (10). Steve Powell/North Kitsap Herald photos

North Kitsap clinched at least a tie for the Olympic League title and sophomore guard Cade Orness broke the high school’s single-season assists record as the Vikings ran by Kingston Monday night 94-45.

NK plays at Port Angeles Feb. 11. The Roughriders have only one league loss on the season, by two points at North Kitsap.

At Kingston, NK took the lead and never looked back on an old-style 3-point play after a steal and layup by senior Jonas La Tour. Orness scored inside, La Tour sank two more free throws, and senior Aiden Olmstead scored after another steal and layup.

But Bucs’ senior Carter Krantz hit an old-style 3-point play of his own to make it 7-5. Senior Zach Mead hit a couple of baskets and a 3 beyond the arc to make it close.

But the visitors went on a 12-5 run toward the end of the first quarter to take a 26-14 advantage. The Viking full-court defense continued to force turnovers and when the home team did get a shot off the Vikings would get the rebound, throw the outlet pass to half court, and have someone flying down the other side of the court for an open shot. If NK missed, La Tour seemed to grab the rebound almost every time for a putback goal.

Highlighting that stretch was when Orness was going in for what looked like an easy fastbreak layup, but he instead bounced it off the backboard for an assist to La Tour, who was right behind him for a slam dunk.

La Tour had a couple of other baskets in that run, as did sophomore Harry Davies, and Orness and senior Johny Olmsted each added a bucket.

The second quarter was even worse for the home team, as they were outscored 32-10, and North Kitsap took a 58-24 halftime lead.

Mead continued to be a highlight for the Bucs with two inside baskets and a 3. Junior Cash Hubbard drove to the hoop for a score just before the intermission.

Leading the charge for North Kitsap were La Tour’s 14 points, including a 3 behind the arc and another 3-point play inside after being fouled.

Olmstead tallied eight points in the second quarter, most inside after grabbing offensive rebounds. Davies showed he is adding to the Vikings’ outside arsenal with a pair of 3-pointers.

Orness broke the record on a backdoor cut to La Tour. He lobbed the pass near the basket, and La Tour jumped up to lay it in.