Lady Vikes start season with Tip-Off wins

Big Bend looks to perform well

MOSES LAKE — The DeVries Activity Center is virtually empty but for the women's basketball team and a few stragglers Tuesday night.

The Lady Vikes are working on defensive drills with their coaches, Craig Randall and Lucy Char, trying to get a little extra training in before the Thanksgiving break.

Big Bend is coming off of a second place finish in the annual Tip-Off challenge. The Lady Vikes defeated Treasure Valley 70-63 and Spokane 64-56 to get into the championship game against Yakima Valley, where they came up just shy of the championship, losing 76-61.

"The tournament went well," said Randall.

In the first game of the tournament, Big Bend had several players step-up and play strong to earn the win.

"We looked a little tentative in the first half, which is to be expected in the first game of the season," Randall said. "But we came back and controlled the second half."

As for the rest of the season, Randall has high hopes for his squad.

"The kids are really gutty, they've all got big hearts and great work ethic," Randall said.

His current roster includes just nine players and a few are already learning to tough it out.

"We're fighting some injuries. I think I have one completely healthy player right now," said Randall. He said the Thanksgiving break, the five days off, were key to helping his team recuperate and rest up before the season got into full swing.

With just three sophomores on the team, Randall is happy to see the starting five, and the team as a whole, gelling early in the season.

"They played really well on defense (during the tournament)," Randall said. "Offense takes a little longer."

As far as offensive powerhouses, Randall feels Kari Darnell will put up scores in the 20s and have a few games with 30 to 40 points this season.

"We've got a great class," said Randall.

The lone local on the Lady Vikes' roster is Liz Biermann of Lind.

"She is a freshman in eligibility but has sophomore standing," Randall said. "She can shoot the three point shot."

Randall also looks for Calli Jo Turner to have a good season.

"She's a post converted into a wing," said Randall. "She's great on defense and she can rebound."

The Tip-Off tournament last weekend gave Randall a chance to size up the league and see what kind of competition his team would be facing this year.

"After the tournament, I think Yakima is the best team out there," Randall said. "Up and down, I think it is a much improved league."

The Lady Vikes play their first home game of the season next Tuesday at 6 p.m. against Whitworth JVs.