Many of the players on the North Battleford Comprehensive High School senior girls basketball team made the quick transition from volleyball to the hoops and it appears to paying off during the early portion of the season.
The Vikings played in a mini tournament in November and went 2-1 losing in the final to Warman by two points in the final. This past weekend, the Vikings played in Saskatoon's BOLDT Classic.
Last season, the Vikings won the Orange Division, which is the second division, handily. This year coach Bryan Cottini wasn't sure where his team would fit in with the Saskatoon competition, but they were again placed in the Orange Division.
The Vikings not only held their own, but won the championship once again.
The Vikings beat Tommy Douglas 66-34, Bedford Road 89-38, Walter Murray 66-26 and Clavet 61-34 in the final.
The Vikings are 6-1 to start the season and will be back in action in Prince Albert Carlton this weekend and Melfort the final weekend before the Christmas break.
Cottini commented that this year the Vikings will be attending two tournaments in southern Saskatchewan and will have a chance to see competition other than their usual rivals from Prince Albert, Meadow Lake and other teams in the northern part of he province. NBCHS will hold their senior girls tournament Jan. 11 and 12, two weeks before their official climb towards HOOPLA begins.
The Vikings graduated six players from last season's team and have three Grade 12s on the team this year, along with several Grade 11s who were on the team last year.
With the large turnover, Cottini said making it to HOOPLA at the end of the season was a goal. After the strong start to the season they may be focusing again on where they place in HOOPLA and not just aiming to get to the year-end tournament.
"Maybe we aren't rebuilding as much as we thought we were," said Cottini.
Last season, the Vikings earned a provincial silver medal at the 4A level.
