The Vikings have begun focusing on playing together during their three-game win streak.
The North Kitsap Vikings (3-3, 1-2 in Olympic League) beat the Central Kitsap Cougars (2-6, 1-4 in Puget Sound League) 43-39 in overtime at home Dec. 30.
“[We’re hoping to] continue to improve on our weaknesses, continue to bond as a team, and continue to just put in that consistent effort and good action,” NK coach Stuart Patterson said.
Neither team could get much of anything going for the first two minutes of the game except for Viking Abby Marrero, who tallied the first points for either squad with a deep three-pointer.
The defenses for both teams came out of the gates hot, forcing turnovers and missed shots, not letting any one side take over the game with the lead swapping back and forth between the Vikings and Cougars.
Cougar Aaliyah Gaulden took the lead back for the Cougars after a two-minute scoring drought from both sides, giving them a 6-5 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Gaulden kicked off the scoring immediately in the second quarter, sinking a long three-pointer. Viking Coriana McMillian hit a long two-pointer of her own, sparking some offense for the Vikings.
McMillian drove down the court and scored on a fastbreak with 3:52 remaining in the second, shrinking NK’s deficit to one and generating a 10-2 scoring run in the process. NK led 21-17 at halftime. Viking Jasmine Sunnenberg led NK with 10 and Gaulden led CK with nine going into the break.
“I think it’s really nice seeing our hard work pay off in practice,” McMillian said. “You know, we’re coming in every day, we’re pushing each other to do better on and off the court, we’re really bonding.”
The Cougar defense amped up the intensity, limiting the Vikings to only three points scored by the 1:44 mark in the third quarter through a full-court press. Meanwhile, CK managed to score six, keeping them right within range to strike and take the lead.
Gaulden was able to shrink the lead back down to one possession late in the fourth quarter after converting two free throws with a minute remaining. Cougar Chelsey Cobb managed to convert on a layup off an NK turnover, tying the game up at 37 apiece with 40 seconds remaining. The game ended up going to overtime.
Sunnenberg hit a floater, giving NK the lead at 42-39 for the first time since the middle portion of the fourth quarter. She led the Vikings with 19 points on the night, while Gaulden led CK with 19 as well.
“Even when it’s that aggressive and that hard on us, it’s just about staying calm and just making sure we’re playing together,” McMillian said. “We’re not getting mad at each other, and we’re just focusing on what we can do, not focusing on what they’re doing to us.”
