POULSBO — From the highest of highs to the lowest of lows, the North Kitsap Lady Vikings basketball team experienced just about everything this season on the hardwood.

Those highs and lows were best demonstrated versus a common opponent — their Central Kitsap rivals, the Cougars. North’s low point of the season came versus CK with a 63-20 loss Jan. 14. But while most teams would have trouble recovering from such a loss, the Vikings stormed back.

After knocking off both Port Angeles and South Kitsap in back to back games, North traveled to first place and eventual Bridge champion Central for a re-match. And outside of the final 17 seconds of play, the Lady Vikings led the entire game — even holding the Cougs to just 11 first half points. Only a three pointer by CK’s Randie Lee averted a North trip to the Narrows League Tournament.

In spite of knowing they’d miss the playoffs due to their CK loss, the Vikings came home for one last game on the year with only pride — and the team’s seniors Katie Swanlund, Val Palsdottir, Kristen Sprague, Jennifer Buckner and Molly McCluskey — to play for. They didn’t give an inch to Olympic in their final game, beating the Trojans 61-12.

“I just wanted to finish strong,” Sprague said following the game. “And I definitely think we did that.”

The team finished the year at 8-12 overall — doubling its win total from a year ago and tripling its win mark in league by finishing 6-8 versus Bridge opponents, including victories in four of their final five contests. The sports writers of Kitsap Newspaper Group also agreed that several Vikings should garner All-Kitsap team spots. And as a result, post Jenna Reed has been selected as a first team member, Swanlund a second team member and McCluskey an honorable mention.

One more reason for the Vikings to smile is the fact that a core group of varsity players combined with a talented crop of JV Vikings could see North go even farther next year. And though McCluskey will be graduating, she said next year’s Vikes have the confidence and knowledge of what it takes to contend in the league.

“We’ve been at the top of this league,” she said, “And we know how to win now.”