MOSES LAKE — The Big Bend Community College women’s basketball team is looking to be in the thick of things in the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges (NWAACC), as they returns three of its top three scorers from last years line up.

Alli Nielson, who was a voted Second Team All-East Region player as a freshman, led the team in scoring (14.7 ppg) and rebounding (9.4), will be counted on once again to lead the offensive attack. Shelby Scott, who was second in scoring (9.4 ppg) and was one of the top 3-point shooters in the league at 39 percent from behind the arc, and Brin Neff, who was the teams point guard last season (8.9 ppg), are also expected to play a big role for Vikings.

“All three are poised to have a great season this year,” coach Preston Wilks said. “We also have a talented group of incoming freshman who were all-league performers in their respective leagues.”

One of the challenges facing the Vikings squad is trying to stay healthy enough to improve on the 5-9 finish in league competition last year.

“We brought in 13 players on scholarship this season and for the most of last month, we’ve been down to nine bodies, so we are a little banged up right now,” Wilks said. “We hope to get two players back in time for our first game on Saturday, and the other two players, who are projected starters, should be back by mid to late December.”

Nonetheless, Wilks said he and his coaching staff are anxious to get the season underway.

“We are exciting to get things going,” he said. “We feel this group is focused on the little things that can make a team really successful. The women seem to be resilient and are working hard to no let the injuries set us back.”

The team needs all of their players to get healthy if BBCC expects to improve on last years standings, compete with the likes of Walla Walla and Yakima Valley Community College, and make a run in post-season play.

“I think those teams will be really good again this year,” Wilks said. “Perhaps unlike any other sport in the NWAACC, the East region dominates women’s basketball as four teams made it to the final four.”

Wilks, who is now in his fifth year as head coach of the Vikings, will get a chance to see how far the team has progressed when BBCC participates in the Clackamas Thanksgiving Invitational in Oregon City, Oregon Saturday.