Lady Vikes Shine at Skagit Holiday Tourney

The Big Bend Community College Lady Vikings kicked off the new year with an impressive showing at the Skagit Holiday Tournament, held January 2-4 at Skagit Valley Community College. Over the three-game stretch, the Lady Vikes showcased their talent, resilience, and drive as they went 2-1 in tournament play.

Game 1: Dominating Northwest Indian College

BBCC opened the tournament against Northwest Indian College, starting strong with an 18-6 first-quarter lead that set the tone for the game. The Lady Vikes maintained control and secured a 62-49 victory.

Oaklie Jackman delivered a standout performance, leading the team with 17 points and 12 rebounds. Katie Hansen added 13 points and 4 assists, contributing to the win.

Reflecting on the game, Head Coach Preston Wilks said, "We had to leave later than usual due to players having a science lab class that afternoon, so we weren't at our best. We played like we'd been on a 4.5-hour bus ride! But I'm glad we played well enough to get the win."

Game 2: Shooting Clinic Against Langara College

In their second matchup, BBCC faced Langara College and wasted no time asserting dominance. The Lady Vikes jumped to a commanding 30-13 halftime lead and cruised to a decisive 66-39 victory.

Katie Richards led the scoring effort with 14 points on a flawless 4-for-4 shooting performance, while Matty Wolfe added 13 points. The team's sharpshooting was the story of the game, with BBCC draining 16 three-pointers—marking the second-highest total in Coach Wilks' 18-year tenure.

"We shot the 3 ball extremely well," Wilks said. "It was a fun game, the players were enjoying themselves, and it was full of great memories."

Game 3: Battling South Puget Sound

Hoping for a clean sweep, the Lady Vikes faced South Puget Sound in a tightly contested game. Tied at 29 at halftime, BBCC ran out of steam in the second half, falling 64-57 in the weekend's final contest.

Coach Wilks highlighted areas for improvement: "We didn't rebound well against SPS, and we had some defensive breakdowns on contesting shots. But the ladies played as hard as they could and fought to the final buzzer. While we were satisfied with the effort, we know our execution must improve."

Looking Ahead

With the tournament behind them, the Lady Vikes are setting their sights on East Region play. Coach Wilks remains optimistic about the team's potential: "Everyone has been working hard to get better in practice each day and week, which will serve us well as we strive to win the East Region title in 2025."

The Lady Vikes' strong showing at Skagit is a testament to their determination and talent, laying the groundwork for what promises to be an exciting season ahead.