POULSBO — Bill Hobaugh was like a kid getting an early Christmas present Monday during the first practice of the North Kitsap Vikings girls basketball season.
The team’s coach could scarcely hide his excitement about his new role. He replaces Kaelea Makaiwi-Barreith, who coached the Vikings for the past two seasons.
Although Hobaugh has never led a high school program, he has plenty of coaching experience.
“I’ve been a coach since I was a junior in high school,” he said. “It’s something I really enjoy and it’s fun.”
Hobaugh said the 2007-08 season will be a rebuilding year for the Vikings, considering they will only be returning two players with significant varsity experience.
“We’re pretty much like a first-year program. We have a lot of young players on the team this year,” he said. “One of our main goals that we’re striving for this season is that we work together as a team win or lose.”
Speed is the Vikings most impressive asset on the court, Hobaugh said.
“We’re going to press teams, push the ball and hustle,” he said. “We’re going to get up and down the floor as quick was we can. Every kid on the team can handle the ball. My tallest girl is going to be our point guard.”
The 5’11” Darcey Hughes is one of the two returning starters off of last year’s squad. Hughes is looking forward to the opportunity to play as the Vikings starting point guard.
“I’m hoping to bring the ball up and get down to the post and create some mismatches,” she said.
Even though Hughes stands nearly six feet, she has the skills of a point guard thanks to her junior high play.
“I was 5’2” in junior high but I sprouted up in high school,” she said. “I learned to play guard when I was young.”
Senior guard Ashley Tobin is another player Hobaugh will rely on to guide the younger players throughout the season.
“Ashley is a legitimate three-sport letterman,” he said. “She’s a competitor that doesn’t like to lose. She’s the kind of player that will run through a wall for you.”
Tobin said she is looking forward to her senior year on the hardwood.
“The opening of Kingston High School did a lot of damage to our team,” she said. “We lost a lot of players so our numbers this year are down. But in a way I think that will help us because the girls on the team are aware of that and will work that much harder for a spot on the team. I think it will benefit our team.”
Team speed is the Vikings strength, Tobin said.
“We have a lot of speed. Our defense is going to be our offense,” she said. “We’re going to have to talk a lot on the court this year. I want our team to have fun, be themselves and be respectful to the coaches.”
The role of team leader is something Tobin welcomes.
“I try not to yell too much. I don’t like to yell because if I do that it doesn’t set a good example,” she said.
Hughes said Hobaugh is the right coach for the job.
“He’s my math teacher and he’s a handful in the classroom. I’m sure he will be the same way on the court,” she said. “He’s got a knowledge of basketball skills. He knows what’s going on. He’s going to teach us a lot this year.”
