‘Into the storm’

MOSES LAKE — With the 2026 basketball season fast approaching, the Big Bend Community College Vikings men's basketball program isn’t wasting any time establishing a new culture under first-year Head Coach Dallin Spencer.  

“We've got some pieces,” he said. “They're freshmen and they're young, (we’re) teaching them the right way and the wrong way to do things and building a new culture and new standard. Holding everybody to that and letting everybody understand that the standard is the standard, and nobody's above it from the coaches down.” 

In May 2026, BBCC Athletics announced Spencer as the new head coach of the Vikings men's basketball program. He is an experienced coach who climbed the ranks through assistant-coaching roles at Wenatchee Valley College and Southwestern Oregon Community College, building a reputation for defense, player development and academic success before earning his first collegiate head coaching opportunity. 

In a short period of time, Spencer has overhauled the Vikings men's basketball program, bringing in new coaches like James Shank and Mikel Bias, as well as 18 players. With 27 practices under their belts, Spencer said he can see the potential of his team starting to form.  

He expects the guard position to be a strength for the Vikings this season, with each of his three guys bringing something unique to the hardwood. 

“We've got Jamari Bolden who can pretty much do it all: defend, score, run the point,” Spencer said. “We've got Ian McIntyre; he's more of a scoring guard and then we've got Brogan Miles, who's a facilitating guard. We've got a three-headed horse there with our with our guards.” 

While there’s talent at the guard position, the Vikings also don’t lack size either – especially at the forward position.  

“That three-four position, we're deep,” said the coach. “We've got length, we've got size and honestly, I think is going to be our strong suit. The way we offensively rebound, we've had 27 practices in and everything we've done, we're pretty solid on that offensive glass, and it's a point of emphasis for us.” 

Gavin Whitehead is one of the Vikings big men who will be relied upon this season to crash the glass. From Parker, Colorado, he found his way to BBCC because he believed in what Spencer was aiming to build, he said.  

“I was committed to another school, and it fell through, but we got an opportunity out here, me and my brother (Seth Whitehead). We're super excited to start with a new coach and new program,” Whitehead said.  

Guard Rafael Ochoa from Salem, Oregon also emphasized the team chemistry as an immediate strength so far this season.  

“Ever since the first day, everyone just has a love for each other,” he said. “Off the court, it's fun, we're fundraising on the weekends, just always together, and everyone just loves competing with each other, and it's fun.” 

While they have learned a lot about each other in practice, there is more to be discovered in their upcoming exhibition games this month. From Oct. 11-31, the Vikings will test themselves against Gonzaga Club, Unknown International Club, Whitworth University and Wenatchee Valley College – all of which are scheduled in Moses Lake.  

“Hopefully we find the answers that we need, and they’re able to solidify our eight-man rotations, our top 12 guys” Spencer said.  

The coach won’t only be looking to see who demonstrates the most talent, but who also brings strong character and leadership to the court.  

“Who does it in practice but can't do it in a game, who does it in practice and can do it in a game, and who doesn't do it in practice but does it in a game,” he said. “Who is going to be able to play their role and do their thing, and those are always questions that you don't know until you play. With this team, the guys work hard, top to bottom, they want to win and make winning plays. We're having to help them and teach them and show them, ‘Hey, sometimes it's okay to be selfish and go score the layup or take that open shot.’”  

So far, players like Gavin, Ochoa and Kuy Heaton have stepped up as leaders for the Vikings, Spencer said. Each of them brings their own energy, example and vocality to the group.  

“That's the thing, we've got guys that are vocal and do their thing,” said the coach. “They're learning how to be leaders at the college level because it's different, but that's the thing with this team is you can look around and you got guys that lead by example, and guys that lead with their voices, but those are probably some of the guys that have stepped up.” 

As they look ahead to the season, Spencer is no stranger to the Northwest Athletic Conference. He believes their preseason competition could have them battle-tested from the opening tip of the regular season.  

“I'm not one to run away or ‘duck smoke,’ as the kids would say,” Spencer said. “Our 15 or so preseason games are against teams that I wouldn’t be shocked if most were not against ranked opponents. We've got a good preseason that's going to battle-test us well, because the East is the toughest region in the NWAC – top to bottom. Every night's a grind. You’ve got to grind, you've got to fight (and) you got to earn everything you get. So then when we get into our region, ‘Hey, we've seen it, there's nothing you haven't seen. Now it's just go do what we do and be willing to go grind and work.’” 

In his first season as head coach, Spencer has the same goals as most programs – win, bring home a regional title and make it into the postseason. However, he also wants to see his players finish the season better than how they came into it, both as a player and a person, he said.  

“At the end of the day, it's ‘Hey, did we pay attention and deal with the process every day?’ It's not about the results. It's about, ‘Is the process and what we are doing the right thing and we're doing it the right way every day,’” he said.  

The coach is also eager to make the Vikings program more visible within the Moses Lake community as they ring in a new era of BBCC hoops.  

“We have a good group of guys that work hard, and they're about doing it the right way,” Spencer said. “They're going to be competitive. They're going to talk their stuff, but they're about doing it the right way. They're respectful guys, they work hard and this team's going to embody this kind of community – just work. Nothing special, nothing pretty but we're going to go work, and we're going to do our thing, and we're going to do it our way” 

The Vikings' first exhibition game is on Oct. 17 at 5 p.m. when they host the Gonzaga Club team. 

    The Vikings’ Gavin Whitehead (5) and Head Coach Dallin Spencer talk about a drill during their practice on Wednesday.
  

    Clyde Berrett passes the ball off to a teammate during a team drill.
  

    Kuy Heaton (right) fires off a corner three-point shot during a drill at the Vikings practice.
  

    BBCC assistant men’s basketball coach Mikel Bias (right) works through a drill with Majok Kok (left) during practice on Wednesday.
  

    Big Bend Community College Vikings men's basketball Head Coach Dallin Spencer watches on as practice gets started on Wednesday.