Defense helps North Kitsap boys basketball punch ticket to state quarterfinals
North Kitsap boys basketball coach Scott Orness all season has lauded the defensive capabilities of his Vikings.
On Friday, the team from Poulsbo showed why Orness is so confident in his team's ability to protect its own rim. Taking on No. 6 seed Mark Morris in a Class 2A regional matchup at Tacoma Community College, the No. 3 seed Vikings prevented the Monarchs from getting many easy looks on the offensive end in a 58-48 victory. It was North Kitsap's 16th win in the past 17 games.
"Best defensive team I've ever had," said Orness, whose team rebounded from last week's loss to Renton in the West Central/Sea-King Bi-District championship game.
With the victory, North Kitsap (21-4) earned a first-round bye at next week's state tournament at the Yakima SunDome. The Vikings will begin play in the state quarterfinals on Thursday at 7:15 p.m. against a yet-to-be determined opponent. North Kitsap, which placed sixth last season and third in 2022, won the 2A state title in 2000.
Harry Davies led North Kitsap with 17 points and five steals, while fellow senior Cade Orness added 14 points, seven rebounds, seven assists and three steals. Junior Jordan Williams chipped in with 14 points.
Scott Orness specifically praised sophomore Logan Husdon for spearheading what he called the team's best defensive effort of the season. Hudson had 14 rebounds and five blocks."
"Logan was the difference-maker," Orness said. "He was our rim protector."
Mark Morris (19-6) still advances to the state tournament and will play Wednesday in Yakima against the winner of Saturday's regional game against No. 14 R.A. Long and No. 11 Bremerton.
No. 16 seed Kingston's girls team saw its season end Friday with a 59-46 loss to No. 9 Ridgefield in a 2A regional game at Battle Ground High School. The Buccaneers finished with a record of 14-10.
This article originally appeared on Kitsap Sun: Defense helps North Kitsap boys basketball reach state quarterfinals
