Man, we love this time of year.

The frost falls off the rooftops, greenery seriously thinks about budding, and the temperatures (finally) rise above freezing … hopefully.

With the onset of pre-spring also comes the ending of high school’s winter sports. And this year, there is much to cheer for.

North Kitsap boys’ and girls’ basketball teams are headed into the playoffs, and the Vikes are also sending wrestlers and, for the first time ever, the entire gymnastics team.

Kingston High is also sending some athletes off to the Tacoma Dome today to compete in wrestling and gymnastics.

Oh yeah … there’s that other matter of the Bucs girls basketball team headed back into the playoffs, as well.

No matter if you’re a Vike or a Buc, there’s reason to be proud of these athletes. For four long months, they’ve proven their dedication to their teams and schools — putting in long practice hours to prepare for the game. They’ve sacrificed social time, family time, and (truth be told) a little bit of studying time as well.

From here on out, it’s all about composure, remembering what they’ve learned in practice and playing to exhaustion.

And that they’ll do.

One more thing: a big congratulations, thank you, and job well done goes out to every one of these athletes’ coaches and parents, as the athletes aren’t the only ones who have made sacrifices to get them this far.

Without your love, encouragement and prodding them to complete their homework to stay eligible, they wouldn’t have made it this far.

Go Vikes.

Go Bucs.

We’re pulling for all of you.