MOSES LAKE - The Big Bend Community College (BBCC) Women's basketball team just missed the cut for postseason play as the team finished fifth with a 5-9 record in the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges (NWAACC) and was 15-12 overall last year. But coach Preston Wilks, now in his sixth season as head coach of the Lady Vikings likes the way his team is coming together for the 2012-13 campaign.

"We have great team chemistry and camaraderie right now. Our returning sophomores have shown great leadership and have mentored the freshmen group very well and are preparing them for the demanding rigors of the season, and our freshmen come in with a knack for playing hard and for competing," he said. "I am excited to see this season unfold. At times we show great potential in practice. We are young and I believe we will have to learn to compete at the high level that is required by the East Region in the NWAACC. But I think our potential is great, we just have to work as hard as we can to make it happen."

Players Wilks will count on to lead the way for BBCC are returning sophomore and leading rebounder Sierra Zollinger, and transfer student Alli Winters from Southern Virginia University who has relocated with her parents to Soap Lake.

"Sierra had a tremendous season on the offensive glass last year and was one of the top rebounders in the entire NWAACC last season. I believe she will not only be an NWAACC leader in rebounding, but I think she will contribute significantly in point production too this year," Wilks said. "I think Alli will have a very special season as an all-around player. She can shoot the three really well, but she's a playmaker too. I also think our other two sophomores, Jazlyn Nielsen and Hannah Smith can produce very effectively for us too. Hannah is one of those real efficient 3-point shooters who you can't leave open and Jazlyn is regaining her strength after recovering from surgery to her knee this summer. Jazlyn is so strong and can dominate inside when she's healthy."

One potential weakness for the Lady Vikings, Wilks said, is team height.

"We are not that tall. But we do make up for our lack of height with good length," he said. "We have some ladies with great length in their arms, and they can really defend and rebound extremely well."

The stiffest competition this season for BBCC is expected to come from teams in their division in the league.

"For the past three years now, two East Region teams have played for the NWAACC title, so our women's side of the league is really the best region out of the four.," Wilks said. " We have a new motto this year, "respect all but fear none."'

The Lady Vikings are off to a good start as they are 4-1 in nonleague play. BBCC opens division play on the road against Community College of Spokane Jan. 5.

The Lady Vikings host Quest University in the BBCC Classic Saturday at 4 p.m.