POULSBO — As the final seconds ticked off the clock and the North Kitsap Vikings and Central Kitsap Cougars scrapped for a victory, many a fan in the North Kitsap gym was nearly in need of a defibrillator. Fueled by an intense rivalry, neither the Lady Vikes nor Cougs allowed themselves to get more than a few points behind in the fourth quarter. In the end, the Vikings walked away with the 42-39 victory.

“We were down, but only by a few points, and it was like, let’s kick it up. We’ve got this now,” said Vikings junior Darcey Hughes, who had a phenomenal game on both sides of the ball with 13 points, 13 rebounds and five steals.

This game played right into what Hughes expects the entire season to be: The Lady Vikes will constantly have to reinvent themselves and prove that, despite losing so many players when Kingston High School opened this year, they really do have game.

“Nobody expects this from us because we lost so many players,” Hughes said. “Well, we’re just going to work twice as hard.”

The mantra “one ball, one team,” is working for the Vikes, as their ball-handling is the epitome of grace under pressure.

Coach Bill Hobaugh was beside himself with pride.

“All I can say about this team is they have heart. They never quit,” he said.

He marveled that only one of the starting players, Ashley Tobin, is a senior. He was also a bit amused at Tobin’s intensity, which can be intimidating during contests and may have frightened the opponents just a tad. It also pays off for the Vikes.

“Tobin hit two big jumpers in the fourth,” Hobaugh said.

He also complimented sophomore Courtney Coleman, saying she is one of the best point guards he’s seen at the high school level.

Coleman, who had five steals and 2 points, just plays to please the crowd.

“I just love to play basketball. This game is my life,” Coleman said. “It doesn’t get any better than a Friday night, at-home game where you beat your rivals.”

For the Vikes, everyone who stepped foot on the floor played a role in the victory.

Players adding to the team’s final tally included Kateese Carter, 5 points; Siara Byers, 4 points; Nikki Taplin, 3 points; and Kristen Vestman, Brandy Ritter and Crystal Hart, 2 points each.

On the other side of the ball, the loss was a bitter pill for CK to swallow, said coach Denise Baxter.

“This was a tough loss for us. There were too many turnovers.” She complimented NK on how well the team handled the ball and got the ball in the bucket.

“They hung in there and did a good job,” she said.