POULSBO — The North Kitsap High School Vikings just couldn’t get their shots to sink in their 61-47 home loss to Foss on Jan. 9.

“They were a really good basketball team. I wasn’t surprised at all,” Head Coach Tony Chisholm said of Foss. “We didn’t turn the ball over so that didn’t cause the loss. The loss came down to missed shots. We played well enough on defensive end to win. It’s unfortunate that to win the ball has to go through the rim.”

This was clearly a case of the second half of play being the deciding factor. When the teams headed into the locker room at the half, the score was tied 24-24. Were it not for missed shots in the first half, the Vikings could have had a 10- to 12-point lead.

Foss played an up-tempo game on the offensive end and backed the play on the other side of the ball with quick man-on-man and zone coverage.

“Their hands were up, the zone was crowded. It was a very disciplined defense,” Chisholm said. “We can’t blame the kids (for the loss). We competed hard from beginning to end. With a team like that, their motor was running the whole time. They didn’t stop.”

He chalks up the loss to not being used to the Tacoma-style play Foss uses. He also said playing this type of game is a good training experience and will be an advantage next year, when the Vikes will be playing 3A ball, rather than 4A.

The Vikes have a challenging schedule ahead of them, including a game against Lincoln High School — which handed Central Kitsap a loss on Jan. 9.

“We knew the second half of the season wouldn’t be a cake walk. We knew it was going to be a very competitive season. Our boys are up to the challenge,” Chisholm said. “We need to play with enthusiasm and poise and not be intimidated by their style of play.”