Games against South loom for Cougars

Central Kitsap’s boys basketball team was considered a longshot to make the postseason.

But after completing a sweep of district rival Olympic with a solid 71-56 victory on Wednesday, Jan. 31, the Cougars are smack dab in the hunt for the Narrows League Bridge Division’s fourth playoff spot with two games left.

Those games won’t be easy, but Central will likely find itself in some sort of playoff if it can close the season with homecourt victories over South Kitsap (Wednesday, Feb. 6) and Bremerton (Friday, Feb. 8). Central (4-6 league), Bremerton (4-5) and North Kitsap (4-5) are battling for the final playoff berth.

Bremerton’s boys played without sophomore Marvin Williams (elbow injury) during a 50-47 loss at Port Angeles on Wednesday and was expected to be without him again against Gig Harbor Friday, Feb. 1. Bremerton’s now lost four league games by four or less points.

In girls basketball, Central Kitsap completed a season sweep of Olympic with a 60-35 victory. It ended a two-game losing streak for the Cougars, whose home game against South Kitsap on Wednesday, Feb. 6 is crucial for playoff positioning. Port Angeles (10-0) is guaranteed the Bridge Division’s top seed, but Central (7-3 league), Gig Harbor (6-3) and South Kitsap (6-3) are locked in a battle for the second, third and fourth spots.

The top three teams earn automatic berths to district, while the No. 4 team must win two playoff games to get into district. South played at Olympic and Gig Harbor was at Bremerton on Friday, Feb. 1. Central had a bye.

Narrows League Boys

At Central 71, Olympic 56 — Marcus McKay popped in a career-high 20 points for the Cougars, who outscored the Trojans 21-6 in the third quarter. Lukas Henne added 13 points and eight rebounds for Central.

Olympic’s Geoff Kelstrup scored 17 points, but was only 1-for-13 from the field over the first three quarters. Chris Soterakopoulous (12 points, six assists) and Brendan Campbell (12 points, 9 rebounds) led Olympic to a 27-26 halftime lead.

Narrows League Girls

At Central Kitsap 60, Olympic 35 — Sheena Stangler’s 10 first-quarter points staked the Cougars to an early lead and Central cruised. Stangler finished with a career-high 16. CK’s Nicole Zygmontowicz had a game-high 22. Tiffany Jess led Olympic with 10 points.

Nisqually League Boys

Klahowya 71, at Chimacum 67 (OT) — The Eagles (2-7 league) had to go into overtime to get the win after failing to hold a lead in the fourth quarter, but they pulled it out, staying alive in their quest for a playoff spot. Charlie Merry led the Eagles with 21 points and six steals. Dusty Rasmussen added 16 points and 12 rebounds. Andrew Matty scored 10 points for the Eagles, who hosted Orting on Friday, Feb. 1.

Nisqually League Girls

Klahowya 61, at Chimacum 22 — The Eagles (2-7 league) beat Chimacum for the second time, holding the Cowboys scoreless in the third quarter after leading just 15-14 at halftime. Klahowya broke loose for 29 points in the fourth quarter. Jessica Hicks finished with 21 points and Emily Jolley scored 14.

Sea-Tac Boys

King’s West 67, Kentview Christian 66 — The Warriors (11-9) extended their winning streak to six, but needed a late three-point play by Brandin Jones to do it. Blake Anderson scored 21 points and Peder Rauen 16 for KW, which opens Sea-Tac League Tournament play on Tuesday, Feb. 5 at 6:30 p.m. at Chief Leschi in Puyallup. The Warriors are the Sea-Tac South’s No. 2 team. Their opponent will be either Summit or Christian Faith in a loser-out game.

Sea-Tac Girls

King’s West 57, Kentview Christian 44 — Eleven players, led by Lindsay Redfern’s 16 points, scored for King’s West (15-4) in its final regular season game. Like the KW boys, the Warriors open Sea-Tac League Tournament play on Tuesday, Feb. 5 at Chief Leschi in Puyallup. They’ll play either Summit or Christian Faith at 8 p.m.

Comment on this story.

COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in our online community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. In a nutshell, don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read.