This has been a phenomenal year for basketball fans in the North End. As of press time, the North Kitsap boys had finished their run at the state’s WIAA tournament by dropping their first two games in Tacoma, while the Kingston girls were celebrating a first-round win in Yakima. Their second game was set for 9 p.m. last night.

Regardless of the outcome, all the athletes, coaches, booster clubs and dedicated parents deserve kudos.

Even though North lost their first two games, they played with a determination and cohesion that is impressive at any level of basketball. Most notably, the tremendous three: seniors Kyle Erickson, Taylor Chisholm and Taylor Hoffer, each of whom play a leadership role on and off the hardwood and have bonded together on an almost telephathic level.

Man, are they fun to watch.

On the Kingston side, sophomore Sophia Baetz is leading the team, for sure, but that is a team whose players have raw talent and a hunger to perform. Frighteningly enough, that’s not a typographical or factual error: Baetz is a sophomore.

Her mad skills on the court make the Bucs home games a thrill ride. And we hear she (and the entire team) have bumped their performance to the next level in Yakima.

We’re left to wonder how that’s even possible.

Any night is a good night to camp out in the bleachers and watch the Kingston Bucs take on any team and work their magic on the scoreboard.

Congratulations to all the winter sport athletes who represented their schools and communities with pride.

A huge “thank you” is also appropriate for the Vikes, who have brought out a school spirit that no other schools in Tacoma came close to matching.

Carry on, Bucs. We hope to see you in the winner’s circle come Saturday.