KINGSTON —  Once was a celebration, twice was annihilation, now the Kingston Junior High School Lady Cavs aim to complete a trio of invincible seasons.

But the squad is well aware that every other team in the league is seeing red when they see Kingston on their schedule.

“We’re the defending league champs and we want to continue that reign,” said head coach Tony Chisholm. “But from the pros to junior high, any champ knows you’ve got to work harder and harder to repeat.”

Some of the freshman leaders of this year’s varsity have been a part of the red and silver since the Lady Cavs completed their first undefeated season in 2004. Consequently, they’ve become accustomed to opponents’ cross-hairs resting on their backs.

Even Sophia Baetz, a seventh grader just joining the squad this year, said, “We’re the targets.”

Kira Markey, a ninth grader who was a part of the first two perfect seasons, added, “This year is going to be even more difficult because (beating us) is every team’s goal.”

With every team in the Olympic Junior High League gunning for Kingston, the key to surviving the attack starts with what coach Chisholm calls the “truth” of basketball: defense.

In that respect, the team’s approach to the season won’t change as Chisholm says he planning to do “the same things I’ve been doing.”

Markey and Arissan Ugles should be leaders on the floor as they return with game experience from a year ago. They will also be a big part of the team’s force on offense, Chisholm said.

Taylor Wall, Kateese Carter and Ashley Redican will also play important roles in this year’s quest as they help to give the Cavs something the team hasn’t seen in the past few years.

“This is the first year I’ve ever had depth,” Chisholm said. “I think that will allow me to keep fresh bodies on the floor (throughout the game).”

By keeping an invigorated crew rotated in the game for the entire 32 minutes, the Cavs should be able to exhaust foes.

Another goal for the Cavaliers is to figure out its own identity in order to capitalize on its best attributes. Most of the girls are already well acquainted with each other’s game through youth league ball.

“They’ve gotta realize that it takes the whole team,” Chisholm said. “We’ve got to teach the team to know everybody’s strengths and to use that in a team aspect.”

The team will be chasing the Olympic Junior High League title and fighting to keep a zero in the loss column for the third year in a row. And when asked what it’s going to take to achieve the monumental goal of a third undefeated season, a chorus of voices answered, “Defense.”

The strategy hits the court next as the Lady Cavs travel to take on their cross-county rival Poulsbo Lady Panthers at 3 p.m. Tuesday.