MOSES LAKE — It’ll be a season of change for the Big Bend Vikings when they hit the court for the 2023-24 men’s basketball season, complete with a completely new roster and head coach on the bench.

Head Coach Jason Hopkins was hired this off-season, and he’s bringing in a fast-tempo style of play to Moses Lake.

“With the history and tradition that’s here, I’m really excited to see if we can put together a team that can restore things back to the way they’re supposed to be, and represent the community in a way that they’re really deserving of,” Hopkins said.

The Vikings are coming off a year where they finished 4-21 overall, going 2-14 in the Northwest Athletic Conference for a third-straight year under .500. Hopkins said the program is committed to turning things around, even if results don’t show on the floor immediately.

“I think it’s going to take consistency, discipline and trying to build a foundation,” Hopkins said. “This was one of, if not the, most consistent NWAC programs for a long time, and we want to get back to that. We’re not in a hurry or a rush to suddenly be great again, we’re going to take our time – now, we want to tin every game, but we’re not going to do it at the expense of making sure that we have the right people here and that we’re doing things the right way.”

    Big Bend freshman Gideon Harris, right, gets ready to take a shot during practice.
  

The Vikings will have a roster of 19 players this year, all of whom are new to the program. Players from states all around the country and the world will be on the floor for Big Bend this winter.

“It was pretty quick for me, I adjusted to everybody on the team,” said sophomore Malik Beauford, a Florida native. “The playing style I was used to, because I played like this in high school – at my old school I didn’t really play like this, but it was a good adjustment.”

Freshman Gil Gonzalez credited Hopkins for putting together a roster that fits together.

“I think coach did a good job recruiting us, knowing that every single one of us had a part to play in each other’s game,” Gonzalez said. “I think we do work well off each other.”

With the new roster comes a fast-tempo, up-and-down-the-court playing style that requires strong conditioning to be effective. Since players arrived on campus in mid-September, conditioning has been an emphasis in practices.

“When it comes down to actually putting in the work it takes to play fast, I think that’s always a shock,” Hopkins said. “That’s why you don’t actually see that many teams trying to do it, because you have to find the right group of guys and you have to be committed to it; even when it doesn’t look great.”

Players have taken the conditioning as a way to improve.

“When adversity hits we tend to fight through adversity because we’re more conditioned,” sophomore Lareon Ginnis said. “When conditioning comes we don’t take it as a punishment; we take it as getting better every day. Competing with each other, it’s going to translate on the court during the game.”

“Being able to bring it all every practice, being able to learn the system – it’s all a new team, everyone’s new,” freshman Cole Palmer said. “No one was able to play for Coach Hop last year and get to learn what he wants. Just being able to come every single day and work hard, not taking any of those for granted has really helped us to push through and be well-conditioned for the year.”

Hopkins noted Beauford and Ginnis, the squad’s lone sophomores, and freshman Gideon Harris as players who have stood out during preseason practices.

“They’ve played a year, they have that experience and they’re also really talented,” Hopkins said. “Our freshman Giedon Harris is doing a great job leading and captaining the team, and we’ve got a number of guys that are finding their way but have a chance to be impact players as well.”

    Big Bend freshman Cole Palmer, right, keeps his eyes toward the rim during a drill.
  

Big Bend has two more exhibition games before opening the 2023-24 season against Bellevue at the Bellevue College Tournament on Nov. 18 at 7 p.m.

“A big thing is just showing everyone that this isn’t the same Big Bend as before,” Harris said, regarding the team’s record over the past three seasons. 

Ian Bivona may be reached at ibivona@columbiabasinherald.com.

    Big Bend sophomore Mailk Beauford dunks the ball during practice.
  

    Big Bend players huddle up in between drills during a Nov. 1 practice.