Hoops season has officially returned to Poulsbo, where one North Kitsap program hopes injuries won’t block the path to another state berth while the other will see a former state champion attempt to keep the Viking legacy alive.

Girls basketball

Coach: Karla Devries

2023-24 record: 13-11

Key returners: seniors Teegan DeVries and Avery Kline

The ride to state was an exhilarating one for NK girls squad, which, after suffering a blowout defeat in the first round of districts roared back to punch its ticket to the opening round at state.

With a pair of state berths under her belt, DeVries will look to make an impact early this season. “If we can run, that’s a positive,” she said. “I want us to be disciplined at the beginning of the season, too—prevent that sloppiness and play the fast-paced game.”

Yet the Vikings will be one of the more hobbled teams out of the gate. Injuries will keep an otherwise electric Coriana McMillian sidelined this season, Andrea Zetty’s return from injury is also to be determined and knee trouble for Teegan DeVries could also keep her limited.

With three out of the coach’s five starting core nursing wounds, other players will need to step up. The Vikings retain first-team all-Olympic League player Kline, and, once healthy, Teegan DeVries should complement Klein well in the high-to-low game. Jasmine Sunnenberg could also be seen at point guard with McMillian out.

NK’s season is scheduled to begin Nov. 30 with a trip to Mount Tahoma.

Boys basketball

Coach: Shaa Humphrey

2023-24 record: 23-5

Key returners: senior Jordan Williams, junior Jaxon Korsak

At just 23 years old, Humphrey knows well the expectations surrounding the 2A Olympic League’s most successful basketball program of the last decade—first as a player for Scott Orness and the 2020 state champion Vikings and later as an assistant coach for Orness in last season’s third-place finish.

Now he will look to maintain the program’s winning culture as head coach following Orness’ departure over the summer, the dream job that he said will allow him to give back to the school that gave him so much. “We’re just trying to keep something great and build it, keep it going. I love this community.”

Humphrey, like his players, has maintained that fierce edge that earned him MVP accolades in both league and state, and he said he’s already learning how to translate that commitment into coaching. With help from assistant coach Josh Perkins, who was brought onto Orness’ staff when Humphrey was a freshman, he’ll try to keep his team atop the league standings.

Williams’ role on the court will change from an assist machine to the now-graduated Harry Davies and Cade Orness to an all-around leader and more consistent option for the open shots. Korsak could also be seen in the starting lineup after injuries kept him sidelined much of his freshman and sophomore years.

Early season tests await the Vikings. A Dec. 4 home opener vs. Foss will be followed up two days later by a rematch of last season’s third-place state contest in Bremerton.