In the search for its first win, the North Kitsap boys basketball team once again came up short.

Though the team showed signs of its strong defensive capabilities in the first quarter against Port Angeles on Dec. 21, the game would quickly change pace as PA clinched its seventh win of the season.

The game ended with a final score of 55-42, Port Angeles. However, the Vikings made the team work for the win.

During the first quarter, a strong defense on both sides of the court resulted in a 12-12 tie into the second quarter. Though it was early in the game, TJ Reitan was off to prove he is a strong competitor on the Viking team.

Reitan would score 13 points in the low-scoring game.

Judging by the way both teams were playing defense during the first half, the second half looked favorable for the Vikings. With six unanswered points early on by PA; however, the Vikings began to lose steam.

With less than 4 minutes left in the half, PA was up 23-16. The Vikings had chances to score, but could not seem to finish offensive drives.

What began as a battle for ball control, became a dominating performance by PA as the team scored 12 more points before halftime.

The Vikings added two of their six total points of the second quarter when Danny Mitchell scored twice during a free throw brought on by a personal foul.

Just when it looked like the Vikings had lost their shot for a win, the team picked up during the third and fourth quarters.

The Vikings outscored PA during the fourth with 14 points over PA’s 6, but the final attempt would not be enough,

The Vikings now have an overall record of 0-8 and a league record of 0-6. The team faced Peninsula in an away game on Dec. 28.

Scording by quarter

Port Angeles: 12 23 14 6 Total 55

North Kitsap: 12 6 10 14 Total 42

Personal stats

TJ Reitan 13, Will Nguyen 4, Sebastian Ford 4, Danny Mitchell 3, Kendall Gill 4, Nate Roberts 4, Andrew Urquhart 2, Trevor Waller 8.