KINGSTON — It sure doesn’t look like a first-year program.

Coach Kevin Strozier already has stamped his imprint on the Kingston High School Buccaneers girls basketball program. Strozier, who spent the past seven seasons as a head coach at Lincoln High School in Tacoma, is one of the most recognized b-ball coaches in the Pacific Northwest.

He expects nothing less than excellence from his teams, which was evident during the second day of practice Nov. 13 in the KHS gymnasium.

The Buccaneers didn’t take a single shot until the 57th minute of the session. Strozier’s practices focus on intensity, conditioning and defense.

Strozier said he thinks the Buccaneers have the talent to advance deep into postseason play.

“I told the team yesterday that I think this team right here is more talented than the team I coached the first year I was at Lincoln,” he said. “We have talented kids here and for us to be successful, we have to put in the work. I think we’ll go as far as how hard we work. When it comes down to February or March other teams are tired and we’re going to have to want it. Championship teams don’t quit until they reach that goal.”

The road to the championship will have its share of stepping stones along the way, Strozier said.

“There’s going to be a lot of steps. We have to take care of our league, have to take care of our district and have to take care of our state,” he said. “Once you get to state, everyone is good and it’s any one’s ball game.”

Strozier is familiar with winning and doesn’t expect that to change just because he’s at a new school.

“We’re going to be team that competes for championships,” he said. “That’s what I’m used to. The bar is raised high and everyone on the team will raise their level of play to that. I think this team has a chance to do some special things.”

Senior center Aubin Duncan said Strozier reminds her of local North Kitsap basketball coaching legend Tony Chisholm.

“Kevin’s approach to the game reminds me of Chiz (Chisholm),” she said. “He’ll yell at us, but in a positive way. He does it because he knows we can excel and he wants us to get better.”

Duncan, who stands a shade under 5’9”, said she enjoys banging in the post with larger opponents.

“I’ve been playing in the post since the third grade,” she said. “I’m pretty aggressive. When the ball is in the air, I want it.”

Just like Strozier, Duncan has high expectations for the 2007-08 season.

“With this team I expect nothing less than going to state,” she said. “I expect us to be playing in March.”

Senior guard Riley Watts said the majority of this year’s team played together on the Vikings last season.

“Mostly the whole team… about seven to ten of the players on last year’s varsity team are at Kingston this year,” she said. “We want to go to the 2A state tournament.”

Kingston Buccaneers Girls Basketball Schedule

Nov. 24. Garfield (away)

Nov. 28. Garfield (home)

Dec. 1. Fife (home)

Dec. 4. North Mason (home)

Dec. 7. Bremerton (away)

Dec. 11. Peninsula (home)

Dec. 14. Olympic (home)

Dec. 18. Klahowya (away)

Dec. 21. Sequim (away)

Dec. 27. Franklin (away)

Dec. 29. Lakes (home)

Jan. 4. Port Angeles (home)

Jan. 11. Port Townsend (away)

Jan. 15. North Mason (away)

Jan. 18. Bremerton (home)

Jan. 22. Peninsula (away)

Jan. 25. Olympic (away)

Jan. 29. Klahowya (home)

Feb. 1. Sequim (home)

Feb. 8. Port Angeles (away)

Feb. 15. Port Townsend (home)