Playoff picture coming into focus for Kitsap schools

By Nicholas Zeller-Singh Kitsap News Group • February 7, 2023 1:30 am

Many Kitsap high school sports teams will begin to spread their wings across the state as they compete in postseason playoffs.

As league play ends some exact matchups are yet unknown, but will be decided in coming days.

All of the boys swim teams will compete at districts at Mount Tahoma in Tacoma Feb. 10-11. Qualifiers will then compete at the King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way Feb. 16-18 for a state title.

All of the wrestling teams will compete at the regional tournament at North Mason High School Feb. 11.

The exceptions are Central Kitsap, which will travel to North Thurston; South Kitsap, which will compete at Battle Ground; and Klahowya, which will compete at Blaine. All of those tourneys also are Feb. 11.

All the top teams and qualifying wrestlers will compete in the state tournament Feb. 17-18 at the Tacoma Dome.

Bainbridge

Bainbridge boys and girls basketball teams will tip off at Black Hills High School in Olympia Feb. 8 against the third-place teams of the Greater St. Helens League. The girls, with an 11-9 record, compete at 6 p.m. and the boys, with a 12-8 record, follow at 7:45 p.m.

Both the boys and girls will compete in the District 3/4 3A tournament against Silas Feb. 11 if they win. If they lose, their seasons end. Both teams finished in third place in the Olympic League.

The gymnastics squad competes in subdistricts Feb. 9 and West Central Districts Feb. 16. If the Spartans make state, they will compete at Sammamish High School Feb. 23-25. Kingston and North Kitsap also will be there.

North Kitsap

The Olympic League champion North Kitsap boys basketball team, 16-4, is looking to make another push for the state playoffs. However, it will first host a district playoff game sometime Feb. 15.

The girls team finished fourth in league at 11-10 so the Vikings will most likely travel Feb. 14 to compete in the first round of the district tournament.

South Kitsap

South Kitsap’s girls basketball team will host the third-place team from the Greater St. Helens League Feb. 10 at a time to be determined. If the Wolves win, they will play Feb. 14 on the road against the loser of the Olympia vs. Tahoma matchup.

Bremerton

The Knights, 5-13, will face the Olympic Trojans, 6-11, Feb. 8 at Klahowya to break a tie to secure a spot in the boys basketball district tournament. If Bremerton wins, it will have to travel elsewhere Feb. 15 in the first round of districts.

Central Kitsap

Central Kitsap’s girls basketball hosts Thomas Jefferson Feb. 10. If the Cougars win, they will face Feb. 14 the loser of the North Thurston vs. Evergreen game.

Olympic

The girls basketball team, 7-11, will be hoping for one of three at-large bids for the district tournament. If they sneak in, the Trojans will compete on the road Feb. 14.