At the end of the game, there were plenty of cheers for North Kitsap sophomore Evelyn Beers.
Beers hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer to give North Kitsap a 51-48 win over Bainbridge Friday night. In the back-and-forth game it seemed like whichever team had the ball last would take it.
The Spartans got off to a good start with Grace Colburn hitting two 3’s and Addy Ledbetter one as the visitors took an 11-6 lead after the first quarter.
Junior guard Sophia Baugh caught fire in the second quarter scoring 9 points, while Beers added 7, as the Vikings went ahead at halftime 25-22. Spartan freshman Isabella Ramirez hit a 3, and Colburn and Macy Kingrey added 4 each to keep Bainbridge close.
North Kitsap took their biggest lead of the second half 27-22 to start the third when Ayanna Selembo passed to Baugh for a fastbreak layup.
But Bainbridge scored nine straight to go in front 29-27 in the middle of the third after Tiffany Le scored on a fastbreak and a 3.
Beers and junior Jade Sunnenberg hit 3’s for the home team, while junior Ghadir Ramadan scored inside and Colburn on a drive as the Spartans took the lead after three quarters 38-37.
Baugh hit a 3 to start the fourth quarter to put NK in front, but Bainbridge scored five straight to go back up 43-40. A 3 by Ramirez was the key basket. Stephanie Lara made a nice pass inside to Baugh and when Sunnenberg hit a 3 with 1:01 left in the game the score was tied 48-48.
In a key call of the game, BI was whistled for a 3-second violation, giving the ball back to NK for the final shot.
As time clicked away, the Spartan defense wouldn’t allow NK a good shot. A pass to the left corner to Beers led to her desperation shot at the buzzer that went in.
Baugh led the winners with 18 points, while Beers added 15. Sunnenberg added 8 and Reed 6.
For Bainbridge, Colburn was the high scorer of the game with 22, but was held scoreless in the last quarter. Ramirez added 8 and Ledbetter 7.
Sophia Baugh of North Kitsap struggles to take the ball away from Maia Greiwe of Bainbridge.
Sophia Baugh of North Kitsap struggles to take the ball away from Maia Greiwe of Bainbridge.
Evelyn Beers of North Kitsap puts up a shot against Bainbridge. The sophomore had 15 points.
Jade Sunnenberg (12) of NK hits the floor with Ghadir Ramadan of BHS as they try to come up with a loose ball.
Vikings and Spartans collide trying to grab a loose ball.
Grace Colburn (20) of Bainbridge drives to the hoop with Ayanna Selembo of NK defending.
Jade Sunnenberg (12) of NK passes the ball against BI.
NK fans celebrate after Evelyn Beers hit the winning shot.