POULSBO—Jordan Jewett’s line-drive single to left field off Mount Tahoma starting pitcher Ashley Denbrock’s first pitch of the game was a harbinger of the hitting clinic North put on before the hometown crowd Monday.
When it was finished, North pounded out 14 hits and scored nine runs in a much-needed 9-2 victory. Currently, North is in sole possession of third place in the Narrows League Bay Division with an overall record of 11-4 (8-4 league).
POULSBO — With a playoff berth already secured, North Kitsap soccer team’s eight seniors used Senior Night to leave one more lasting memory in the minds of the underclassmen and fans Monday night.
POULSBO — The North Kitsap Vikings soccer squad put another notch in its axe as it took a swing at the Gig Harbor Tides Thursday and walked off the pitch with a 3-0 shutout.
But the victory was more important than it might have appeared, pointed out Vikings coach Chris May.
POULSBO — It was the kind of game the North Kitsap Vikings baseball team didn’t take lightly. After a dismal performance in a loss against Mount Tahoma on Monday, the Vikings took out their frustrations on Bellarmine on Thursday, crushing the visitors from Tacoma 12-0 in five innings.
Vikings coach Jeff Weible said he wasn’t surprised by the outcome.
POULSBO — As a desperately needed gap in the clouds broke over the tennis courts, a loud enthusiastic, “North!” could be heard as the North Kitsap Girls Tennis squad prepared for what turned out to be the closest game of the season thus far.
North coach Terry Grimm was pleasantly surprised by the vigorous output the girls exhibited in their matches against South Kitsap.
POULSBO — One bad inning. In one of the biggest upsets of the 2007 season, Narrows League bottom feeder Mount Tahoma (4-14 overall), squeaked out a shocking 5-4 victory against first place North Kitsap (11-4 overall) on a sunny Monday afternoon in Poulsbo.
This wasn’t the result the North Kitsap Vikings baseball squad envisioned after trouncing Mount Tahoma 13-3 Saturday in Tacoma. Following the game, Vikings coach Jeff Weible declined to comment on his team’s loss.
POULSBO — North Kitsap spelled defense with a capital “D” Friday on its home diamond. The Vikings didn’t commit an error, putting forth a perfect fielding percentage (1.000), which proved to be the driving force behind their 7-1 victory over South Kitsap.
“Our defense kept us in the game,” said Vikings coach Bill Hobaugh. “It’s winning games for us right now.”
POULSBO — When the North Kitsap Vikings boys soccer team looks back on its 2007 season, it may be able to pinpoint a single game that served as a needed turn in its journey to success.
North’s performance against South Kitsap on Thursday night could be that kind of contest as players reflect on the year when it’s all said and done.
POULSBO — Errors.
“That’s the game right there,” Vikings coach Jeff Weible said summing up North Kitsap’s 8-6 loss against rival South Kitsap Tuesday.
The Vikings didn’t do the little things they needed to do in order to come up with a victory, committing six errors and yielding six unearned runs as the Wolves edged to a win at North Kitsap High School.
Win by an inch, win by a mile. It wasn’t exactly a stellar performance from North Kitsap, but the team played well enough to capture a win. And that’s all that counts.
North scored three second half goals, propelling itself to a 3-1 victory against Bremerton High School on a chilly overcast Tuesday night at Viking Stadium. It was the Vikings third consecutive win.
POULSBO — It’s one of the most excruciating events in track and field. Many athletes tend to avoid this it at all costs. The 400-meter dash is undoubtedly one of the toughest races in the sport — one lap around the track at an all out sprint.
Those competing must rely on superior physical prowess and perhaps most importantly, mental toughness.
KINGSTON — Nothing feels better in life than coming home after being gone for a long time. Dan Novick is coming back to a place he once called home, the Pacific Northwest, and he couldn’t be happier about it.
Novick recently nabbed the Kingston High School Athletic Coordinator position and head football coaching job at Kitsap County’s newest high school in Kingston.
POULSBO — The game of fastpitch comes naturally to North Kitsap’s Jenneke Oostman.
The steady sophomore hurler had one of her best games of the season, but it didn’t show as she calmly walked off the mound after fanning the final Tides batter in the Vikings (6-1 overall) 4-1 win Narrows League rival Gig Harbor Wednesday afternoon.
When it was all over, she’d pitched a complete game, fanning 10 Tides batters in the contest.
POULSBO — It is exactly the kind of atmosphere Zone Sportsplex owner Ted Thetford envisioned when the newest indoor athletic facility in Kitsap County opened for business Jan. 27. Thetford said Monday he couldn’t be happier about the positive reception he’s received from residents and visitors since.
POULSBO — It’s never too early for children to experience America’s favorite pastime.
On this note, Poulsbo’s Parks and Recreation’s preschool sports program is making sure this spring will provide a grand slam of good times one for North Kitsap kids. Starting Monday, boys and girls from ranging from 3-5 years old began taking the first baseball swings of their young lives.
North Kitsap might be sitting pretty atop the Narrows League standings right now, sporting a 10-2 record most teams dream of. But it hasn’t been as easy as it looks.
The Vikings stayed busy during spring break, topping rival Central Kitsap 7-2 Tuesday before stumbling to an 8-1 loss to the Cougs at home Wednesday. The up-and-down week jumped back up with a big 13-0 blanking of Lincoln (1-8) on the road Thursday.
POULSBO — Close games give teams a chance to show their true colors.
If a squad can win those kinds of contests early in the season, it will undoubtedly pay off down the road when stakes are the highest — during the postseason.
The North Kitsap Vikings baseball team showed what it’s made of Friday afternoon, displaying resiliency and composure in a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory over the then-unbeaten Stadium Tigers.
POULSBO — Spring Break is finally upon North Kitsap School District students. But before the Vikings took off for some fun in the sun for the holiday, they played host to Gig Harbor, Foss and Stadium for a quad track meet on a frigid afternoon March 31 at NK High School.
POULSBO — North Kitsap fastpitch played three games in three days this past week, leading up to a brief hiatus for spring break. NK will be back in action April 11 when it hosts Gig Harbor.
Wednesday, the Vikings utilized an offensive deluge, coming from behind on two different occasions to beat Bellarmine. Thursday, they held on for a close win in a non-league game against Olympic. Friday, NK traveled to Olympia, but results were unavailable at press time.
POULSBO — With an 11-1 win over Olympia Monday, North Kitsap baseball continues its roll.
The Vikings are now 5-1, grabbing for the top spot of the Narrows League Bay division along with Stadium and Bellarmine Prep. North finished its series with the Bears (2-2) in Olympia Tuesday, but results were unavailable at press time.