POULSBO — The North Kitsap boys basketball team’s loss last Friday could be attributed to an offensive onslaught of 71 points by the Wolves of South.

In reality, it was SK’s defensive strategy, holding the Vikes to just 43, that proved the winning formula.

Using a “diamond and one” defensive formation, the Wolves were able to hold down point guard Garrett McKinstry and keep North Kitsap from establishing an offensive presence.

“We tried to put pressure on the perimeter,” said SK coach John Callaghan. “McKinstry is one of the better point guards in our league. We tried to do as much as possible to take him out of the offense.”

The plan worked: McKinstry was held to 6 points and no Viking cleared double figures in scoring.

The win gave Narrows League first-place South Kitsap (11-1 in league, 13-5 overall) a playoff birth and North Kitsap (3-9 in league, 5-13 overall) something to think about as the season comes to its final two games.

A lot of what the Vikings will ponder is how to overcome a stifling defense like the one they faced Friday.

“The diamond and one disrupted our offense all night,” Nations said. “We’re a team that feeds off our offense. When the shots aren’t falling, we get down on ourselves.”

The diamond and one — which uses four players in formation and adds a roaming defender to add pressure — sparked South Kitsap’s offense, as the team often found itself with man-advantage fast breaks.

The Wolves got going from the inside and out, with post Jacob Beitinger putting in 16 points and guard Jamil Moore adding 18. For Nations, the experience of playing the No. 1 league team was important to see how North stacks up. The coach praised his tough division rivals.

“(South Kitsap) is on the top of their game right now,” Nations said. “(Beitinger) isn’t going to Eastern Washington (University) for nothing.”

For Callaghan, South’s positive regular season finish is not yet a reason to celebrate.

“We haven’t accomplished anything yet,” Callaghan commented. “We’re going to take it one game at a time.”

North plays at Central Kitsap tonight and finishes Friday at home versus Olympic. The Wolves finish the season at home versus Olympic tonight and versus Central Kitsap Friday. Nations said he believes South now has the talent to go farther than just the league tournament.

“If (South Kitsap) plays like they did tonight they’ll go to state,” Nations said.