Vikings runnerup in Skagit Valley

MOUNT VERNON - The Big Bend Community College (BBCC) Vikings narrowly missed out on a Skagit Valley Holiday Tourney title after falling to Bellevue in the championship game, 74-73.

The Bulldogs staved off a late Vikings rally when sophomore guard/forward Riley Jemmett's shot was blocked out of bounds with only 0.6 seconds remaining in the game.

"The first time we played them we won by three and it was on their home court," head coach Preston Wilks said. "That was definitely in their minds. They played really hard tonight and really well and they shot the ball real efficiently tonight."

Time ran out and Big Bend had to settle for second place. However, Jemmett was named tournament MVP after averaging 23 points per game over the course of three days.

"Riley's a tough matchup because of the system we play," Wilks said. "Riley gets her looks from Cristina (Marlatt) and Julie (Bonner... Cristina really knows how to find Riley at the top of the key."

Freshman guard Aubrie Vale was also named to the all-tournament team. Vale averaged 13.3 points per game during the tournament, including a double-double of 17 points and 12 rebounds in the teams first round 78-53 win over Grays Harbor.

With two more wins at Skagit Valley, the Vikings improve to 10-4 overall and trail Columbia Basin and Blue Mountain in the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges (NWAACC) East region as league play looms. Columbia Basin and Blue Mountain are both ranked in the latest NWAACC Coaches Poll.

The Vikings were able to avenge a loss earlier in the season to Skagit Valley after a 37-point drubbing of the Cardinals in the semifinals.

Jemmett once again led the charge with 26 points, four rebounds and one assist. Vale, Marlatt and freshman guard Elizabeth Larrew also scored in double figures.

Big Bend also suffocated the Cardinals defensively forcing 23 turnovers and forcing Skagit Valley to shoot just under 33 percent for the game.

"We felt like we could beat them and we kind of used that as an incentive to come out and play well and we really did," Wilks said.

Wilks was even congratulated after the game and when his team was out to dinner for the Vikings' dominating performance.

The Vikings open league play at home Jan. 8 against Yakima Valley at 6 p.m.