WHEN IN DOUBT, PUNT - Darryl Fry (44), East Knights center, probably didn't have that in mind, but it appeared he was attempting to kick and South Kitsap's Tom Erickson trying to block it as Knights and Wolves waged class AA cage war at East last night. Watching the by-play (from left) were SK's Bob Houston (15), Knights Mike Holen (20) and Dave Garrison, and Wolf Dennis Leith (21). East won, 49-37, for its third AA win and tries for No. 4 in a meeting with North Kitsap at Poulsbo tonight.

Knights Annex 3rd AA Win;

Invade North Lair Tonight

By JOE SHERK

Sun Sports Writer

Another step along the state tournament class AA path will be attempted tonight by East Knights as they encounter winless North Kitsap Vikings in Poulsbo.

Knights will be seeking their fourth consecutive win along the trail that eventually leads to the AA classic in Seattle while Mike Perry's Vikings are still looking for their initial victory of the season.

Good shooting and personal fouls enabled East to come away with a 49-37 decision over South Kitsap Wolves last night in AA battle.

SK IS NOW 1-2 in the battle for district tourney berth and 1-5 overall. East is now 4-4 for the season.

Knights hit a hot streak near the close of the first half and moved to a 30-20 advantage. Wolves came back in third quarter and cut the gap to six but couldn't get any closer as their high scorer, Tom Erickson, drew his fifth personal with seven seconds to go in the third panel.

Following him with 1:47 gone in the final stanza was Rick Piercy, usual Wolf high point man who was held to one free throw by the tight East defenses. Pierce attempted on two field goal tries and was on the foul line once.

At one point SK had 10 team fouls and nine were on two men.

LES EATHORNE'S charges started strong, breaking a seesaw contest with 2:44 yet to play in the opening eight minutes when a long howitzer by Mike Holen sent them ahead, 11-10. From here Knights were not to be headed as they jumped to a 17-14 margin at the end of the quarter.

SK kept in reach throughout most of the second period but East started to frost the cake as it dumped in six points in the last 1:18 to move to the 10-point intermission lead.

Final quarter was filled with fouls as Knights toed the line 15 times and hit but eight.

Holen led winners with 12 while junior guard John Tracy followed with 10 as Knights came up with a balanced scoring attack.

Erickson canned 12 before leaving as he hit his first four shots from the floor.

LOSS OF THIER two big men hurt Wolves as in their attempt to close the deficit, although sophomore forward Dennis Leith played probably his finest game for mentor Orv Anderson, dumping in nine poits.

Besides losing Erickson, two six-point quarters also inperiled SK's chances of getting back in the ball game. Second and fourth periods found Wolves nettling only six points in each one while Knights were adding 13 and nine respectively.

East hit 16 0f 43 attempts from the floor for a 37.2 percentage but was hurt at the foul line where it could connect on only 17 of 27. Wolves garnered 13 of 36, 38.8 per cent. They made good 11 of 19 charity tosses.

SK plays again Friday when it travels to Shelton.

B Team Game

East (56) - Henry 8, Winderl 17, Kennedy 8, Fisher 4, Busby 2, Johnston, Berteaux 4, Gibson 3, Slate 4, Moe 0, Huguenin 2, Strachan 4. 

South Kitsap (34) - Wilson 7, Holtine 11, McCready 3, Bryant, May 7, Robert, Hisentrouwt, Thompson 3, Barker 1, Rylander 2, Crux, Rees.

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'Cats, Squire Quints Stay In Loop Lead

West's Wildkittens and the East Squires remained knotted atop the County freshmen basketball league standings yesterday as each notched its third victory in four outings.

The three-pronged scoring of Jim White, Walt Harrell and Jack Bailey carried West past Central Kitsap, while Joe Mount hit 11 as the Squires dumped North Kitsap, 41-20.

Results set the stage for next Friday's league action in which West entertains Bainbridge and East players host Marcus Whitman of Port Orchard.

Allen Albertson trailed Mount in East scoring with 16 points during a fray in which all Squires saw action save usual starting guard Butch Miller, suffering from a knee injury and likely out for the season.

West likewise cleared its bench though the scoring was restricted among five players.

West (28) - White 12, Harrell 10, Bailey 10, Green 4, Hoffman 2, Dickerson, Guy, Dahl, Ogg, Costello.

Central Kitsap (17) - Cholds, Nelson, Plum 4, Frander 1, Potier, Longsboro 2, Winger 8, Chaliman Gait, Frasier, Kendal 2.

*  *  *

East (41) - Pharr 6, Mount 11, Love 4, Albertson 10, Sokolowsky 1 Topness 3,Yeager 3, Nelson 2, Bohlmann, Johnson, McInnis.

NK (20) - Gwartney 2, Stadshaug 3, Olson 6, Mandio 1, Euarri 8, Morrow, Breiland, Johnson

LEMME OUT - East Knight Bill Carter found himself in a vertible forest as three South Kitsap Wolves surrounded him after pulling down rebound in waning minutes of last night's action. SK trio included Check Sarver (58), Bob Houston (45) and Errol Darling. - Sun Photo by Bob Torseth