KINGSTON — There’s nothing quite like a Kingston/Poulsbo rivalry to get the momentum of a season flowing.

Thursday in Kingston, the Poulsbo Panthers varsity boys basketball team dammed up the Cavaliers 50-44 to sail their own season forward.

The Panthers had a clear advantage in the low post, as Brandon Winkley led all scorers with 14 points. Dave Stock chipped in 10 more, and Austin Abrahamson had nine points and six steals.

“If we can drive and create the shot, then we will, but if the other team is shutting that down, then we can go inside,” Stock said. “We know how to play together as team very well because we’ve been together for so long.”

Poulsbo had stretches of dominating defense Thursday, holding Kingston to nine points in the first quarter and six in the third. The Panthers forced Cavs to turn the ball over throughout the game, which led to fast-break baskets and free throws on the other end.

Poulsbo took a 39-26 lead into the fourth, but Kingston picked up the pace with a full-court press and whittled the lead down to one with 1:30 remaining.

After two Panthers missed free throws on the other end, Winkley picked up a key rebound and sank two free throws to sustain the blue and white.

Kingston did not score again.

“Kingston stepped up their pressure, and we didn’t handle it very well” Poulsbo coach Clary Carlsen said of the Panther’s minor 4th quarter lapse. “(Kingston Coach) Jay (DeVries) has his kids playing extremely well, extremely tough, they never gave up.”

Nor did the Panthers as they improved to 1-1 on the year, after a 64-34 loss at Central Kitsap Wednesday.

“We were a little more under control (at Kingston). I think the team was too excited in the first game” said Carlsen.

The Panthers have two home games next week both starting at 3 p.m. — Dec. 11 and 14 against Sedgewick and Bremerton, respectively.

Next up for the KJH, the Cavaliers will be away for a three game streak, at Cedar Heights Dec. 11, at Oakland Bay Dec. 13 and at Sedgwick Dec. 14.