POULSBO — After last season’s devastating loss at the hands of CK, the North Kitsap Lady Vikings have their sights set on avenging with a ride to the playoffs this year. With seven returning varsity players, coach Dan Weedin expects it can be done.
Last year, the basketball team made drastic win/loss improvements from the previous season. The Lady Vikes went from a 2-16 Narrows League record in 2004 to a 6-8 finish just under the post-season cutoff in 2005. If all goes as planned for NK, 2006 will be the year to come full circle.
“We’ve got a lot of depth and a lot of good sophomores,†coach Weedin said of the team. Although they have lost the main point-contributors from last year to graduation and a transfer, a new type of team has been coming together at the North Kitsap High School gym.
“We’re a little bit of a different team this year,†Weedin said. “We have a lot of the same size but are more athletic and quick.â€
As opposed to last year’s game-plan, which focused the ball through the post and NK’s high scorers, this year, Weedin is looking for a more widespread offensive attack and a high-pressure defense.
Jasmine Hill, sidelined for much of last year, has the potential to hold down the paint for the Vikings this season. She was the third-leading scorer two years ago as a sophomore and led through the three games she played last year. Now, she is healthy and hungry in her senior year.
Juniors Jade Niemeyer and Lindsey Sprague will provide solid support down low, and sophomores Riley Watts and Aubin Duncan can contribute as well.
Complimenting the low-post at point-guard, Rachael Kramer should step up as her role changes to more of a scoring mindset this year, Weedin said. Katie West and Ali Lydick will support the outside cast, focusing on quick and decisive defense.
“I think people will probably underestimate us because of what we’ve lost,†Weedin said. But what the Vikes have gained is an experienced, upper-class squad with highlights of young talent.
The roster touts six seniors, five returning from last year’s team, as well as three juniors and three promising sophomores.
“From a maturity standpoint, we are a very upper-class team,†Weedin noted. “They know what to expect and I think we’ll see a lot of poise.â€
Weedin has seen a very competitive atmosphere thus far in practice. Unlike last year, the roles of the team are not as clearly defined and the spots on the starting line-up are somewhat up for grabs.
“I think our No. 1 challenge is who will score; we have the kids who can do it but I don’t know who they are yet,†Weedin said of this season’s challenges. “No. 2 is making sure that we continue to rebound.â€
The Lady Vikes’ quest to determine their destiny started last weekend with an inter-squad scrimmage and a jamboree which displayed two 10-minute scrimmages against Port Townsend and Oak Harbor.
Coach Weedin was pleased with most of his squad’s early play but noted that improvements are necessary.
The regular season begins this weekend with a double-header as NKHS hosts Kings West Friday and Bainbridge Saturday, varsity starts at 7 p.m.