POULSBO — After a 61-30 win over Port Townsend Tuesday, the North Kitsap High School boys basketball team finally has a positive streak going.
It’s a small streak — just two wins in a row — but it’s one the Vikings (3-6 overall) can be proud of after a dismal 1-6 start to the season.
“I think that we’ve got something going here,” Head Coach Tony Chisholm said. “We’re playing smart basketball, and doing the things we practice. We’re just playing our game, and not allowing them to force us to play their game.”
Brandyn Winkley led the way for the Vikings Tuesday, with 25 points and 10 rebounds. Teammate Andrew Ray followed, with 11 points. Jacob DeBerry led the Redskins with nine points.
Throughout Tuesday’s game, North Kitsap controlled the tempo on offense. They began with a 4-0 lead and never trailed. By halftime, the Vikings were up, 32-16.
“I knew we could play like this. We just weren’t for some reason,” Winkley said. “We’ve been really focused at practice and now we’re playing like a whole new team.”
Port Townsend had trouble sinking shots all night, and the Viking defense made sure the Redskins had very few second chances. North grabbed 30 rebounds and 14 steals as a team.
“Tonight I think we just controlled the boards,” Chisholm said. “Their offense couldn’t shoot and couldn’t get anything inside.”
The Vikings also stepped up their game on offense. They took their time with each possession, using the shot clock to their advantage and only giving up 13 turnovers.
“We’ve worked on being patient and using the shot clock,” Chisholm said. “The team’s ability to move the ball and see the open guy has improved.”
After bagging two big wins in a row (North slammed Peninsula, 87-52 last week), Chisholm is pleased with the way his team has played recently. But he’s quick to point out that the Vikings will need to work hard to conquer the tough road ahead.
“As a basketball team and as a coach, it’s just staying positive and building on those positive things you’ve done,” he said. “It’s not going to get any easier.”
