CK girls solidify playoff outlook with win at SK

Narrows League basketball teams end the first round of league play tonight and barring any major turnaround in the second half, the Central Kitsap girls are the only safe bet to make it to the post-season.

The Cougars, who play the nightcap of a boys-girls doubleheader tonight at Bremerton, are coming off a 58-55 victory over South Kitsap on Friday, Jan. 11, in Port Orchard.

CK’s fifth-straight win and sixth in seven games pushed the Cougars to 4-1 in league, 9-4 overall. Central’s tied with Gig Harbor for second in league play, but the Tides have to play league-leading Port Angeles tonight.

The top four teams (boys and girls) advance to the Class 4A West Central District Tournament, although the Bridge Division No. 4 must beat Bay Division No. 5 to get in.

Olympic’s girls are 1-4 in league and the Trojan boys (0-5) are still looking for their first league win. Olympic plays North tonight (boys are away; girls are home).

Central Kitsap’s boys (2-3) aren’t out of the playoff picture, but the Cougars’ hopes took a blow when senior guard Mike Malala pulled up lame with a possible foot fracture. Malala didn’t play in CK’s 58-44 loss against South Kitsap on Friday, Jan. 12, and was scheduled for more medical tests on Monday, Jan. 14.

Bremerton’s boys (2-3 league), like Central, have lost to arguably the three best teams in the league (Gig Harbor, South Kitsap, North Kitsap) during the first round. If they get past Central tonight, the Knights will be in position to at least make a run at the playoffs during the second round.

A look at games played Friday, Jan. 11 and Saturday, Jan. 12:

Girls Basketball

NARROWS LEAGUE

Central Kitsap 58, at South Kitsap 55 — The Cougars had an eight-point lead cut to one in the late going, but didn’t fold. Nicole Zygmontowicz, who scored 20 points and had eight rebounds, hit a big 3-pointer and another basket to keep Central on top.

“Any time you win on the road in the league is a bonus,” CK coach Denise Baxter said. “South’s a good basketball team and they’ve had some injuries. With (Rebekah) Proctor coming back in the game, that really helped them.”

Still recovering from a sprained ankle, Proctor only played half the game.

Baxter said CK’s home game against SK Feb. 6 will be tougher if Proctor returns to full strength.

Though CK had a size advantage, SK used a 1-3-1 halfcourt trap to eat at CK’s most glaring weakness — ball handling.

Without a true point guard, SK scored a half dozen transistion buckets in the second half to crawl back from its eight-point deficit.

Zygmontowicz seemed to be the only player who remained composed with the ball. Baxter agreed.

“I don’t like to ask her to do everything,” Baxter said. “I’d like to take some pressure off Nicole and let her do the things she does really well, which is shooting and rebounding. We’re still young in spots and try to force the action instead of letting things develop.”

The Cougars escaped SK’s pressure by sinking 19 of 26 free throws, while SK made just one of five shots on the line.

Olympic 59, at Bremerton 56 — The Trojans broke a five-game losing streak and picked up their first league win, although they had to rally in the fourth quarter to do it. Tiffany Jess led the Trojans with 17 points, but sophomore guards Lindsay Neste (15) and Lauren Haas (14) came up big at the offensive end for the second-straight game, which is a good sign for Olympic.

NISQUALLY LEAGUE

North Mason 46, at Klahowya 43 — A fourth-quarter collapse cost the Eagles, who jumped up 14-3 after one quarter and led the whole game until Mason’s Malia Farlye stuck a 3-pointer with 50 seconds left to give the Bulldogs a 44-42 edge. Klahowya was led by Emily Jolley (17 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists.) The Eagles (1-3 league, 1-10) played Foster at home on Jan. 15 and travel to Sequim on Friday, Jan. 18.

Sea-Tac League

King’s West 61, at Seattle Lutheran 35 — Lindsey Redfern celebrated her birthday with a 29-point night as the Warriors (2-1 league, 10-3 overall) cruised to an easy win. King’s West hosted Cedar Park on Jan. 15 and entertains Summit on Friday, Jan. 18 at 6:30 p.m.

Boys Basketball

Narrows League

Bremerton 58, at Olympic 47 — Bremerton pulled away in the fourth quarter, getting some transition baskets after Olympic started pressing full-court. Marvin Williams’ 18 points led the Knights (2-3 league, 7-6). Sophomore Brendan Campbell scored 18 for Olympic (0-5, 4-9).

At South Kitsap 58, Central Kitsap 44 — The Cougars were in it for three quarters, but the Wolves, with Jason Seitz scoring 12 of SK’s 24 fourth-quarter points, pulled away in the final eight minutes. Sophomore Jacob Beitinger led South (4-2, 9-3) with 20 points and 10 rebounds. Guard Kevin Van Hook scored a season-high 14 points for the Cougars (2-3, 3-10).

Nisqually League

North Mason 56, at Klahowya 45 — Klahowya coach Scott McMinds said his squad was simply outhustled and outplayed. The Eagles (1-3, 5-5) fell behind early and never made a serious run at the Bulldogs (2-2, 5-6). Jordan Coursey had 11 points and four assists for the Eagles. Dusty Rasmussen had 10 rebounds. Klahowya hosted Foster on Jan. 15 and goes to Sequim on Friday, Jan. 18.

Sea-Tac League

King’s West 64, Seattle Lutheran 54 — The Warriors poured it on in the final quarter, outscoring their opponents 28-14, to break a five-game losing streak. Peter Rauen and Brandin Jones scored 20 points each and Blake Anderson added 17 for the Warriors (1-2 league, 5-8). KW hosted Cedar Park on Jan. 15 and takes on Summit at home on Friday, Jan. 18.

Wrestling

Klahowya Klassic tournament — Klahowya hosts an eight-team tournament on Saturday, Jan. 19. First round matches start at 10 a.m. In addition to the Eagles, Bremerton, Decatur, Eatonville, Port Townsend, Roosevelt, South Whidbey and Vashon will compete. Decatur and Vashon are the team favorites.

Klahowya’s best bets for individual honors are Ryan Fitz (112), Randy Weir (135), Joe Gombos (140), Mike Healy (160) and Matt Adams (135), providing Adams is recovered from a shoulder injury.

The Eagles placed 11th out of 12 teams at the Jan. 12 Rainier Tournament. Fitz’s third-place finish led the Eagles. Weir placed fifth.

Klahowya will compete in the Nisqually League meet on Feb. 1-2 at Orting. The top four advance to regionals, Feb. 8-9 at Mountlake Terrace. The top five at regionals move on to state, Feb. 15-16 at the Tacoma Dome.

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