All it took for the Bremerton Knights to break their six-game losing streak was a hot hand.

Make that several hot hands.

Casey Lindberg scored 20 points and as a team, the Knights shot 49 percent from the field to finally reach the win column with a 73-54 victory over Highline last night in Bremerton. The victory was the Knights’ first in their new gym.

In another non-league area game last night. Chimacum dumped Quilcene 71-34 at Quilcene. And South Kitsap lost its third game in four Northwest Prep Holiday Tournament outings, falling to Cascade 62-60 in overtime in Seattle Center Arena.

“It was our first win of the season and the first one in the new facility,” said Bremerton coach Larry Gallagher. “That’s a nice way to end the old year and look ahead to the new one.”

Bremerton’s victory came off a 10-day layoff in which Gallagher went back to basics in practice. The Knights worked on some new offensive and defensive schemes and then they shot, shot, shot.

“It looks like it all paid off,” said Gallagher, “and that’s nice to see. I was most pleased wit the way we moved the ball and took the good shots.”

Bremerton hit 18-of-26 shots through the second and third quarters and finally broke the game open with a 14-2 run midway through the second half.

Brian Coombe was a key figure in the second half, hitting four consecutive shots from the perimeter. For the night, Coombe pitched in 10 points, after going scoreless in Bremerton’s last outing.

Gallagher also was pleased with the defensive work of Lindberg, Todd Lewis, Mike Gurske, and Keith Krell, while Chris Liebmann pulled down nine rebounds and DeForrest Phelps added 10 in a reserve role.

Guard Tyler Gevings pace Highline with 22 points.

Bremerton, 1-8, opens Olympic League play Tuesday night at Central Kitsap.

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Staff photo by Larry Steagal

Bremerton guard Keith Krell drives to the hoop and gets hammered by Highline's Jason Veradar during last night's non-league basketball game at Bremerton High. The Knights shot 49 percent from the floor to win their first game of the year and the first in their new home, 73-54.

Non-league

JV - Bremerton 70, Highline 62.