POULSBO — Head coach Scott Orness of the North Kitsap boys basketball team said he had goosebumps following the Vikings’ 63-44 win over Sequim on Feb. 1, claiming the 2A Olympic League title for the fourth consecutive year.

“I told the guys, ‘You’re not going to remember individual games, but you’re going to remember the teammates you played with,’ ” he said.

North Kitsap advances to post-season play, which began Feb. 8

After losing seven seniors last season, Orness said he knew it was going to be difficult to capture another league championship, but he asked for his seniors to carry the way — and carry, they did.

Senior guard Kai Warren led the team with 20 points while senior point guard Zac Olmsted almost matched that number.

But it wasn’t the offense that got Orness excited most — it was his team’s defense.

“Our defense is probably one of the best defensive teams I’ve ever coached,” Orness said. “Our defense, a lot of times, leads to our offense in fast breaks and extra possessions. Our guys have all bought in.”

North Kitsap held Port Angeles to 15 points in the first half earlier this season — something Orness said does not happen very often.

Stamping their name into the postseason, the Vikings will look to improve on executing at half court.

“Our identity is to play fast, but sometimes when you go against a really good team, you’re not going to get the turnovers like we did in the league,” Orness said.

— Jacob Moore is a reporter for Kitsap News Group. Contact him at jmoore@soundpublishing.com.