POULSBO — Find a way to win.

In the infant weeks of 2006, that is exactly what the North Kitsap Lady Vikings have been doing. They’ve found a way to win from ahead as well as from behind, and maybe more importantly how to win when things look bleak.

The situation was far from bleak Jan. 11 as the ladies of North (7-4, 2-3) hosted South Kitsap (2-9, 1-4).

The Vikings knew coming into the game that it was a must-win, and they projected that thought through confidence as they pulled away with their second league win, 48-43.

“It was a very big win and I think very much needed; every game, it’s a big game,” said NK head coach Dan Weedin. “(After) starting out 0-3, we need to find a way to pick up these next few games. We have three games on the road in a row starting (Jan. 13).”

At home Jan. 11, the first quarter started out back-and-forth as both teams jumped into a groove, and for South that groove was enhanced by second chance opportunities off the offensive glass. Weedin said the Lady Vikes gave up six SK offensive rebounds in the first quarter, which led to a 14-12 Lady Wolves’ lead at the end of one.

In the second frame, North shifted its defense into a zone which has been reliably solid for most of the year.

“We played zone the rest of the way, and that really was, from a defensive standpoint, the difference,” Weedin said.

With the zone in place, North started to block-out for rebounds and as a result, pulled ahead on the scoreboard. Jade Niemeyer — who has been the Vikes’ consistent offensive juggernaut this season — scored 14 points in the contest and helped North out to a 27-21 lead at halftime.

From that point on, the Lady Vikes fought to keep control.

North leaped to a nine-point lead in the third, but later in the quarter they fell into foul trouble. So Weedin turned to his bench.

“We were really on thin ice — an eight-point lead with four of five starters in foul trouble is a tough situation,” Weedin said. “That put us in a little bit of a predicament but the reserves came in, played their role and hung on to the rope for us.”

Stepping in place of Rachael Kramer, who sat with fouls, Katie West hardly missed a beat at the point guard spot. She dished out five assists and scored five points in the game.

Sophomore Riley Watts came off the bench to provide North with a strong defensive performance on the perimeter.

With the time falling off the clock as the game wound down, the Lady Vikings were clutching a four-point lead. South measured up a last chance opportunity, but it was blocked by Watts who took the ball and was fouled to seal the game.

“She’s tough to shoot over,” Weedin said of the 5’11” guard who has four blocks on the season. “She’s our leader in blocked shots at the guard position.”

Jasmine Hill contributed a double-double, holding things down in the paint with 10 rebounds to go along with 10 points. Watts and Lindsey Sprague each grabbed five while Niemeyer got her hands on six rebounds.

“As a coach, you can always find something to improve on and I’d like to see us control the boards for four quarters,” Weedin said. “With that, I think we can put teams away better and give ourselves a bit more of a cushion.”

North now has the chance to give itself a cushion in the Narrows League Bridge standings with wins over Olympic (4-8, 2-3) Jan. 13 (results were not available at press time) and Bremerton (4-7, 2-3) Jan. 18, with tip-off at 7 p.m. at Bremerton High School.

The Vikes will be back at home hosting top-ranked Gig Harbor Jan. 20 at 7 p.m.