Big Bend Runnin' Vikes capture Holiday Classic

MOSES LAKE - The Big Bend Community College (BBCC)  Runnin' Vikes improved their record to 10-1 as they claimed the Big Bend Holiday basketball championship.  The team won its first round match Thursday, beating  Wenatchee Valley 83-63. 

"We jumped out to a 44-26 half-time lead," coach Mark Poth said. "The game was never in jeopardy."

BBCC  was led by Kevin James with 21 points, 11 rebounds three and blocks.  Blake Skidmore and Antonio Snow  had 14 points each for the Runnin' Vikes.  Former Moses Lake product Matt Franz scored 10 points for Wenatchee. 

Camosun beat Columbia Basin College 71-69 in the nightcap. The consolation game  saw Wenatchee beat Columbia Basin in overtime 85-84 Friday . That set up the championship game between Big Bend and Wenatchee.

"We came out roaring, built an early lead and took a 64-22 half-time lead," Poth said. "We went to our bench early in the second half and cruised to a 112-53 win." 

Skidmore led the Vikings with 22 points. James and Spencer Pingel finished with 14 each.  Snow added 12 points, four assists and four steals.

"I was pleased with the performance of our team this weekend," Poth said. "We feel like we our making progress and moving in the right direction as we start to focus on league play.  We have a great group of young men who have been great representatives of our program."

The All-Tournament Team selections were Eugene HeavyRunner from Columbia Basin, Patrick Manning from Wenatchee Valley,  Trevor Scheurmann from Camosun, Kevin James and Antonio Snow from Big Bend. The tournament MVP was Blake Skidmore from the Runnin' Vikes. 

The Big Bend men and women will begin region play Saturday as they host Spokane at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m..